Bilateral Angle Closure Following Use of a Weight Loss Combination Agent Containing Topiramate:

Topiramate-induced angle closure glaucoma: Two unique case reports

The aim of this study is to report the side effects of oral topiramate in two young patients presented with bilateral ocular blurring and discomfort, causing unique development of secondary acute angle closure (AAC) after discontinuation of oral topiramate. Both patients, with a history of seizure and migraine, respectively, were taking oral topiramate to control their mentioned diseases. Both had secondary AAC and high intraocular pressure, after discontinuing topiramate. They were treated with topical medications and underwent initial and subsequent multimodal imaging to track up their response to the management. Ocular side effect, during topiramate use and possibly even after discontinuation, will improve early detection of secondary AAC. Topical management along with multimodal imaging of such cases can give optimal results.

Nationwide Incidence of Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma in Korea from 2011 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Despite the significant disease burden, there is a paucity of data addressing the population-based incidence of acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG). Therefore, we estimated the nationwide, population-based standardized incidence rate of AACG in Korea.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide, population-based, retrospective study using the database of National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which includes the entire Korean population (approximately 50 million people) from 2009 to 2015. We identified patients with incident AACG during the 5-year study period from 2011 to 2015 based on their diagnosis and AACG-related treatments (laser iridotomy and cataract surgery), and estimated age- and gender-standardized incidence rate of AACG during the study period.

RESULTS

We identified 11,049 patients (8,022 women, 72.6%) with incident AACG during the 5-year study period. Of these, after excluding 6 patients under 20 years old, 11,043 patients (8,020 women, 72.6%) aged ≥ 20 years were included in the analysis. The average standardized incidence rate during the 5-year study period was 59.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.87-61.03) per 1,000,000 person-years. The incidence rates increased sharply with age and peaked at individuals aged 75-79 years; in men, those peaked at the same age group, however, in women, those peaked at individuals aged 70-74 years. Women has a 2.56 folds higher incidence rate (85.84 [95% CI, 84.03-87.66] per 1,000,000 person-years) than men (33.48 [95% CI, 32.33-34.62] per 1,000,000 person-years).

CONCLUSION

The present study provides detailed estimates for AACG incidence according to all age groups and gender through the 5-year study period.

SIMULTANEOUS BILATERAL ACUTE ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA IN MILLER FISHER SYNDROME

PURPOSE

To report a case of patient with Miller Fisher syndrome, complicated by simultaneous bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma in her slightly (+1.5) hyperopic eyes.

METHODS

We present a case report of a 71-year-old female patient presenting with total ophthalmoplegia, areflexia, ataxia and bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma.

RESULTS

The initial ocular examination revealed hand motion in the both eyes and oedematic corneas. Initial intraocular pressure was immeasurable high (measurment by Tonopen Avia). Measurement was possible after intravenous Mannitol 20 % infusion on both eyes as 54 and 56 mm Hg, respectively. Local medical therapy of pilocarpine, timolol, dorsolamide and dexamethasone improve intraocular pressure into normal limits within several hours. Prophylactic peripheral Nd-YAG laser iridotomy was performed on a both eyes two days later. Systemic treatment involved plasma exchange and rehabilitation program. Subsequent cataract surgery on both eyes with posterior capsule lens implantation improve the best corrected visual acuity on right eye from 0.5 to 1.0 and the left eye from 0.5 to 0.8, respectively. Intraocular pressure is within normal limits without any glaucoma therapy. Follow up period is three years.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the second reported case of patient with Miller Fisher syndrome and simultaneous bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma and the fifth reported case of Miller Fisher syndrome and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Treatment for both conditions made a very good recovery.

Drug-induced Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma: A Review

Aim

Our goal is to review current literature regarding drug-induced acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) and provide ophthalmologists and general practitioners with a thorough understanding of inciting medications and treatment pitfalls to be avoided.

Background

Drug-induced AACG is an ophthalmological emergency that ophthalmologists and general practitioners should be familiar with, given its potentially blinding consequences. Common anatomical risk factors for AACG include a shallow anterior chamber depth, short axial length, plateau iris configuration, thick lens, anteriorly positioned lens, and rarely, intraocular tumor. Demographic risk factors include female sex, Asian ethnicity, family history, and advanced age. In patients with predisposing factors, acute angle closure can be triggered by various classes of medications including adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, cholinergics, sulfonamides, supplements, and serotonergic medications. Physicians prescribing such inciting medications should be aware of their potentially sight-threatening adverse effects and to inform patients of the warning symptoms. Patients typically present with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), headache, nausea, blurry vision, and halos around lights.

Review results

There are two main mechanisms of drug-induced AACG, both with different treatment strategies. The first mechanism of drug-induced AACG is pupillary block and iridocorneal angle closure secondary to thickening of iris base with mydriasis. The second mechanism of drug-induced AACG is anterior displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm due to mass effect (e.g., blood, misdirected aqueous humor, and tumors), uveal effusion, or weakened zonules.

Conclusion

This paper reviews drug-induced AACG, high-risk anatomical features, underlying mechanisms, inciting medications, and options for treatment and prevention.

Clinical significance

With proper understanding of the underlying mechanism of drug-induced AACG, physicians can respond promptly to save their patients' vision by employing the correct treatment strategy.

How to cite this article

Yang MC, Lin KY. Drug-induced Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma: A Review. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2019;13(3):104-109.