Which of the following is a risk factor for acute angle-closure glaucoma?

Which of the following is a risk factor for acute angle-closure glaucoma?

• A. Myopia
• B. Hyperopia
• C. Open-angle glaucoma
• D. Retinal detachment

Answer: (B)

Acute angle-closure glaucoma happens when the iris blocks the drainage angle, preventing aqueous humor from exiting the eye. Eyes that are hyperopic (farsighted) tend to be shorter with a shallower anterior chamber, which makes the drainage angle narrower and more prone to closure. Small changes, like pupil dilation or lens thickening with age, can push the iris to block the angle in these eyes. In contrast, myopic (nearsighted) eyes usually have longer eyes and deeper chambers, so the angle stays wider and the risk of closure is lower. Open-angle glaucoma involves an open angle where outflow is impaired, not a closed angle, and retinal detachment is unrelated to angle-closure risk. So hyperopia is the best answer because the structural tendency toward a narrow angle increases the likelihood of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma happens when the iris blocks the drainage angle, preventing aqueous humor from exiting the eye. Eyes that are hyperopic (farsighted) tend to be shorter with a shallower anterior chamber, which makes the drainage angle narrower and more prone to closure. Small changes, like pupil dilation or lens thickening with age, can push the iris to block the angle in these eyes. In contrast, myopic (nearsighted) eyes usually have longer eyes and deeper chambers, so the angle stays wider and the risk of closure is lower. Open-angle glaucoma involves an open angle where outflow is impaired, not a closed angle, and retinal detachment is unrelated to angle-closure risk. So hyperopia is the best answer because the structural tendency toward a narrow angle increases the likelihood of acute angle-closure glaucoma.