Acute angle-closure glaucoma from spontaneous massive hemorrhagic retinal or choroidal detachment. An updated diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Abstract

Acute angle-closure glaucoma from a spontaneous massive hemorrhagic retinal or choroidal detachment occurred in five eyes. The source of the hemorrhagic detachment was a disciform macular lesion in all instances. The mechanism for the angle closure is the abrupt forward displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm resulting from the massively detached choroid and retina. Four of the five patients had either systemic hypertension or a primary or anticoagulant-induced clotting disorder. All patients underwent ultrasonographic studies, and one patient had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out melanoma. Only one eye required enucleation for pain relief. Glaucoma medication, cyclophotocoagulation, or retrobulbar alcohol controlled the other four eyes. The clinical, ultrasonographic, MRI, and histopathologic features of this rare condition are described, and an updated therapeutic approach is discussed.