Research: Acute primary angle closure

Acute primary angle closure (APAC) is one of the most urgent eye emergencies, marked by a sudden obstruction in the eye’s drainage angle (trabecular meshwork).  

This obstruction elevates the intraocular pressure (IOP) to critical levels, risking damage to the optic nerve, retina, lens and cornea and, if untreated, leading to permanent vision loss from glaucomatous optic neuropathy.  

The urgency in treating APAC is tied to its potential to evolve into primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), a chronic condition that can severely impair vision and quality of life. 

While APAC research has traditionally focused on high-prevalence groups, such as South-East Asian populations, our study, carried out at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, serves as an important addition to the limited data available on APAC outcomes, shifting the focus to a mainly European cohort.