Pseudoexfoliation syndrome as a risk factor for acute ciliary block angle closure glaucoma

Abstract

Two patients presented with unilateral ciliary block angle closure glaucoma and bilateral pseudoexfoliation (PSX) syndrome and were treated successfully with posterior sclerotomy (one case), extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation. None of the eyes had undergone previous ocular surgery except Nd: YAG-laser iridotomy. Axial lengths as measured with A-scan ultrasonography were 22.48 mm and 24.30 mm. During follow-up of 5 and 12 months, intraocular pressure was well controlled without antiglaucoma medication in both patients. We suspect that the well-known changes of the zonula origin at the ciliary epithelium in PSX syndrome lead to anterior subluxation of the lens with consecutive ciliary block angle closure glaucoma. Ciliary block angle closure glaucoma seems to be another serious complication in PSX syndrome. Therefore, miotics should probably be used with care in PSX eyes with signs of zonular alterations because they may trigger this mechanism.