What is a common complication of untreated closed acute angle glaucoma?

Vision loss or blindness is a common complication of untreated closed acute angle glaucoma due to the rapid increase in intraocular pressure that can occur with this condition. In acute angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked, which prevents aqueous fluid from properly exiting the eye. This blockage leads to a significant increase in pressure within the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and result in permanent vision loss or blindness if not treated promptly.

The severity of the condition means that patients often experience symptoms such as severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances before any irreversible changes to vision occur. If the condition is not addressed with interventions such as medications to lower intraocular pressure or surgical procedures to improve fluid drainage, the risk of permanent vision impairment becomes significant.

While chronic migraines and increased migraines could be potential issues for some individuals, they are not direct complications of closed acute angle glaucoma. Retinal detachment can occur from various causes but is not a common direct complication of this specific form of glaucoma.