Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat · ~6% of blueprint

Pathophysiology: Sudden blockage of aqueous outflow at the iridocorneal angle → acute rise in intraocular pressure.
Signs & Symptoms: Severe eye pain, red eye, fixed mid-dilated pupil, halos around lights, headache, N/V, decreased vision.
Gold Standard Diagnosis: Tonometry (markedly ↑ IOP); gonioscopy confirms a closed angle.
First-line Treatment: Emergent IOP lowering (acetazolamide, topical beta-blocker, pilocarpine) → definitive laser iridotomy.

High-Yield Pearl

Painful red eye + fixed mid-dilated pupil + halos = acute angle-closure glaucoma, a sight-threatening emergency.

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