Angle-Closure Glaucoma

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Angle-closure glaucoma, the next most common type, is a largely inherited disorder caused by a too-narrow angle in the passageway where aqueous fluid would normally drain. This type of glaucoma may occur in two ways:

• The chronic type progresses slowly and, like open-angle glaucoma, can result in optic nerve damage.


• The acute (also called closed-angle) type begins suddenly when the normal flow of aqueous humor between the iris and lens is blocked. This condition is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately. Without treatment, blindness can result in one or two days.

There are subtypes of both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma.

• Return to Types of Glaucoma.
• Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and known risk factors of angle-closure glaucoma.