Medics: acute angle-closure glaucoma can cause blindness in few hours

Ophthalmologists said acute angle-closure glaucoma could cause blindness in a few hours.

The medical experts reminded residents to seek medical help promptly if they develop symptoms related to glaucoma.

The symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma include eye pain, headache and nausea.

In a press conference on Sunday, an ophthalmologist said the prevalence rate of acute angle-closure glaucoma could be higher during autumn and winter season because of flu medication.

Clement Tham, chairman of the Hong Kong Glaucoma Society, said: "Usually the anticholinergics within the medication. Sometimes, there are also a noradrenaline like component within these medication. These components of the medication have a side effect of slightly dilating the pupil, and when the pupil is at a more dilated state, that will reduce the ease of outflow of aqueous from inside the eye; outflow of fluid from inside the eye, and this can potentially trigger an episode of acute angle-closure glaucoma, especially in those people who have a predisposition to angle-closure."