Angle Recession Glaucoma

Synonyms

Postcontusion glaucoma

Definition

Angle recession glaucoma is a chronic secondary open-angle glaucoma due to a blunt ocular trauma.

Etiology

Blunt ocular trauma may cause a tear in the ciliary muscle (angle recession). The angle recession itself is not the cause of the glaucoma. It is rather an indicator of previous trauma to the eye resulting in a chronic pressure rise. Eyes with an underlying tendency for primary open-angle glaucoma are more likely to develop chronic angle recession glaucoma.

Clinical Presentation

The onset of a chronic, initially mild to moderate elevation of intraocular pressure might be delayed for months to years. Chronic angle recession and primary open-angle glaucoma show similar clinical course and treatment.

Diagnosis

Angle recession is diagnosed by gonioscopy and/or ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM):

• Angle recess might be gonioscopically visible as an irregular widening of the ciliary band (Fig. 1).

• Posterior attachment of the iris root.

• Deep anterior...