About Angle
Closure Glaucoma
Angle Closure Glaucoma is a type of glaucoma caused by a
blockage or complete closure of the drainage structure of the eye called the
trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork is actually a fine filter, and if
it is blocked or obstructed by any alteration in the size or shape of the
surrounding structures, or by change in the size or shape of the tissue itself,
it will cause the intraocular pressure (IOP) to elevate. In instances where the
meshwork becomes blocked abruptly, it will cause a sudden rise in the
intraocular pressure (IOP), resulting in Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma. Acute
Angle Closure Glaucoma is characterized by this sudden rise in pressure which
will cause pain, redness, light sensitivity, colored haloes around lights,
nausea or vomiting, and blurred vision, and if left untreated permanent loss of
vision.
Medications Can Cause
Angle Closure Glaucoma
In patients who may already be at risk for Angle Closure
Glaucoma because they have certain tissue and anatomical features inside their
eyes, certain medications can significantly increase their risk. Two
medications that are worth mentioning are the antidepressants Wellbutrin
(Buproprion) and Topamax® (Topiramate). While both of these are often used to
treat mild to moderate depression, they are also used to help patients stop
smoking! Researchers reporting a study in Archives of Ophthalmology found that the risk of
angle-closure glaucoma in patients younger than 50 years was twice as high in
patients taking Wellbutrin and more than 5 times higher in patients taking Topamax®.
If you or someone you know is being treated for
depression or has been prescribed Wellbutrin or Topamax® to help stop smoking,
please make sure you tell your eye doctor and ask about your risk of Angle
Closure Glaucoma, as well as become familiar with the symptoms above. If you
have not had an eye exam with glaucoma testing and are taking these
medications, please call The Eye Care & Surgery
Center at 908-789-8999, visit The
Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter
to schedule an appointment.
The Eye
Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue,
Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059
and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout
central and northern New Jersey.
