Transient Optic Disc Swelling After Laser Iridotomy for the Treatment of Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Abstract

Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is characterized by narrowing or closure of the anterior chamber angle of the eye. AACG typically presents in older, hyperopic patients who complain of blurred vision, ocular pain, halos around lights, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Optic disc swelling is known to be associated with intracranial hypertension, optic neuritis, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal vascular occlusion, and toxic optic neuropathy. There have been few reports of temporal relationships between laser iridotomy and optic disc swelling in patients with AACG. In this case report, we present a case of AACG where optic disc swelling was developed after sudden lowering of the intraocular pressure (IOP) by laser iridotomy. A 65-year-old woman presented with left eye pain and poor vision for one day. Slit-lamp examination revealed conjunctival injection, corneal edema, and a nonreactive and mid-dilated pupil in the left eye. Her best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in the right eye and counting fingers in the left eye. IOP was 10 mmHg in the right eye and 54 mmHg in the left eye. A diagnosis of left AACG was made. A peripheral laser iridotomy was performed. The details of the optic disc were difficult to observe due to corneal edema, but there were no obvious abnormalities. The next day, the BCVA was 20/60 and the IOP had decreased to 9 mmHg in the left eye. Fundus examination demonstrated optic disc swelling in the left eye. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scanning revealed optic disc swelling in the left eye. One week after treatment, the BCVA was 20/50 and the IOP was 10 mmHg in the left eye. Fundus examination and SD-OCT scanning revealed mild improvement of optic disc swelling in the left eye. Four weeks after treatment, the BCVA was 20/50 and the IOP was 10 mmHg in the left eye. Fundus examination and SD-OCT scanning revealed an improvement in optic disc swelling in the left eye. After performing laser iridotomy, it is necessary to pay attention to changes in the optic disc as well as the IOP.

Keywords: acute angle closure glaucoma; intraocular pressure; laser iridotomy; optic disc swelling; optical coherence tomography.