Traumatic glaucoma

Abstract

In the management of an ocular injury, traumatic glaucoma is often overlooked. Prospectively reviewing 100 consecutive patients of traumatic glaucoma we found a very high correlation of postconcussional glaucoma with traumatic cataracts, angle recession of more than 180 degrees, significant injuries to the iris and a displacement of the lens. Two of these four clinical features were present in all cases. Penetrating injuries were followed by a secondary glaucoma if an adherent leucoma and/or evidence of lenticular damage or displacement were seen. These clinical features all point to a damage to the lens-iris diaphragm. The trabecular meshwork being directly related to these structures would also be involved in such an injury, leading to significant impairment of function, and the eye would therefore be more prone to developing glaucoma. Our study has highlighted certain clinical findings which could act as 'markers' for the early diagnosis of traumatic glaucoma.