Mechanisms

Three main factors are involved in the pathogenesis to angle closure glaucoma:

• shallow anterior chamber:
  • the lens is positioned relatively anteriorly in the eye
  • often associated with hypermetropia (longsightedness)
    
    
• lens growth:
  • the lens thickens throughout life and so encroaches on the anterior chamber
    
    
• pupillary dilatation:
  • pupil dilatation, whether physiological or pharma- cological may block the flow of aqueous humour
  • the iris is then pushed anteriorly and comes to lie against the trabecular network
  • aqueous reabsorption is impeded
  • this process may result in acute increase in intra- ocular pressure