Background: Management of secondary glaucoma in nanophthalmos has always been challenging, especially for patients with extremely short axial length and extensive angle synechia. This case report discusses a nanophthalmic patient with secondary glaucoma and extensive angle synechia.
Case presentation: A 60-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) in her left eye (LE). Slitlamp examination revealed small cornea and shallow anterior chamber (AC) in both eyes. Extensive angle synechia was seen on gonioscopy, and the IOP and axial length were 36 mmHg/15.79 mm in the left eye. She was diagnosed with nanophthalmos and secondary angle-closure glaucoma LE. Laser peripheral iridectomy (LPI) was performed, but the IOP LE remained elevated and uncontrolled on brinzolamide and brimonidine. The IOP LE was then normalized with the application of 2% pilocarpine. During the follow-up period, the AC of the LE showed progressive shallowing, and 5 months post LPI the IOP became uncontrollable. Goniosynechialysis combined with phacoemulsification, lamellar sclerectomy, sclerostomy, peripheral iridectomy, capsulotomy, and anterior vitrectomy were performed LE. Immediately after surgery, the AC deepened and the IOP stabilized. However, the IOP rose again post-surgically at 1 week and again at 2 months. A generally shallow AC and obstructed capsule hole were present. YAG laser capsulotomy was performed, and the IOP normalized and the AC deepened. Eighteen months after surgery, the IOP LE was 12 mmHg and the AC remained stable.
Conclusion: Goniosynechialysis combined with multiple surgical procedures could be considered an alternative treatment regimen for nanophthalmos patients with secondary glaucoma and extensive angle synechia.
Keywords: Nanophthalmos; angle-closure glaucoma; case report; goniosynechialysis.