What is a recognized treatment for acute closure angle glaucoma?

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In acute closure angle glaucoma, the primary issue is an increase in intraocular pressure caused by a blockage of the drainage angle of the eye. This situation creates an emergency that requires rapid intervention to lower intraocular pressure and relieve pain.

Inhibition of aqueous humor production is the recognized treatment because it helps to decrease the intraocular pressure by reducing the amount of fluid produced within the eye. Medications such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (like acetazolamide) and beta-blockers (like timolol) can be employed to achieve this inhibition, thereby providing immediate relief from the condition.

While other treatments may be relevant in different contexts or stages of glaucoma management, they are not suitable for acute angle closure attacks. For example, increased aqueous humor production would exacerbate the condition, and immediate surgical intervention, while potentially necessary in the long term, is not the first-line treatment during the acute phase. Myopic correction does not address the underlying problem of increased intraocular pressure and is not effective in managing the acute crisis. Thus, the focus on inhibiting aqueous humor production is critical in treating acute closure angle glaucoma effectively.

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