Background: Glaucoma secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an uncommon but serious complication that threatens vision and therefore cannot be neglected. A few cases of secondary glaucoma resulting from lupus-induced or iatrogenic ocular impairments have been reported in association with SLE. However, a systematic analysis of the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma secondary to SLE has not been reported in the literature. The aim of this study is to further investigate the relationship between glaucoma and SLE.
Methods: In this study, we reviewed nine eyes of five patients diagnosed with secondary glaucoma associated with SLE, including one case of neovascular glaucoma and four cases of steroid-induced glaucoma.
Results: Neovascular glaucoma was successfully treated by Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgery with adjunctive ranibizumab intravitreal injection, followed by panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). The steroid-induced glaucoma in eight eyes of four cases were controlled by trabeculectomy along with antiproliferative agents.
Conclusion: Regular follow-up ocular examinations should be conducted to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of secondary glaucoma in SLE patients to improve the prognosis of vision.