Angle-closure glaucoma in teenagers

Abstract

Objective: To report the occurrence of angle-closure glaucoma in 2 teenagers.

Design: Observational case reports, review of literature.

Methods: Review of case histories, examinations, biometries, visual fields, and ultrasound biomicroscopy findings in 2 teenagers with angle-closure glaucoma.

Main outcome measures: Intraocular pressure, gonioscopy, Humphrey 24-2 visual field (SITA Standard), and ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Results: The first case involved a 15-year-old white male who presented with an intraocular pressure of 60 mm Hg in the right eye and 24 mm Hg in the left eye and 360-degree appositional closure in both eyes. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed prominent bilateral ciliary pigment epithelial cysts pushing the iris anteriorly towards the angle. The second case involved a 14-year-old white male with a strong family history of primary angle-closure glaucoma. The patient had pupillary block and an intraocular pressure of 24 mm Hg in the right eye and 40 mm Hg in the left eye on routine eye examination. Gonioscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed appositional closure of the angle in all 4 quadrants bilaterally.

Conclusion: Primary angle-closure glaucoma is uncommon in younger individuals. Therefore, the finding of angle-closure glaucoma in a young individual should alert the physician to the possibility of a secondary cause of angle closure, such as iris pigment epithelial cysts. In addition, special attention to family history is important as the configuration of an occludable anterior chamber angle may, in some instances, be inherited.