This is an aggressive form of secondary angle closure glaucoma. It usually affects individuals with retinal disease, mainly retinal vascular occlusion or uncontrolled diabetic retinopathy. The primary abnormality is represented by the retinal ischemia, which releases angiogenic factors. These factors create new vessels at the anterior chamber, usually at the iris pupillary border and the angle wall. These new vessels are abnormal and fragile and will cause a series of events which will lead to secondary angle closure (drainage system obstruction).
The treatment strategy should aim at the primary abnormality (retinal ischemia) and also at the IOP control. This relatively complex form of glaucoma often requires the combined efforts of glaucoma and retina specialists. Diabetic patients should try to maintain as good control of their disease as possible.
