Adult-onset Buphthalmos in Down Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report a peculiar case of adult-onset buphthalmos.

METHODS

Review of the medical record of a 24-year-old patient with Down syndrome who developed buphthalmos in the left eye after corneal transplantation for keratoconus.

RESULTS

In the next 2 years after surgery, the operated eye evolved with chronic anterior uveitis that led to progressive peripheral synechiae, oscillating intraocular pressure, cataract, graft failure, and buphthalmos.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of buphthalmos of adult-onset in Down syndrome raises important issues concerning the classification of this eye condition and the responsibility for detecting and monitoring eyes with glaucoma in individuals with chromosome 21 trisomy.