Pupil block glaucoma from traumatic vitreous prolapse in a patient with posterior chamber lens implantation.

BACKGROUND

Angle closure secondary to pupil block is an entity known to occur in aphakic and pseudophakic patients. In aphakic patients, typically the cause of the pupil block is vitreous prolapse (aphakic pupil block). In pseudophakic patients, the typical cause of the pupil block is an anterior chamber lens implant, often in the absence of an iridectomy (pseudophakic pupil block). Rarely, a hybrid of these two conditions can occur, in which vitreous prolapse causes a pupil block in a pseudophakic patient with a posterior chamber lens implant.

METHODS

The case presented is that of an elderly pseudophakic man with a posterior chamber lens implant who experienced ocular trauma, and who subsequently also experienced a ruptured posterior capsule with resultant vitreous prolapse and pupil block angle closure. Key diagnostic features are presented, as well as patient-specific management for this uncommon condition.

CONCLUSIONS

While diagnosis and management of acute primary angle closure are well-known and reported, acute secondary angle closure is not as well reported. It is imperative to understand the mechanism of angle closure, as this properly delineates the management plan. Use of management plans appropriate to acute primary angle closure with pupil block (the use of miotics) could potentially have disastrous consequences in cases of secondary angle closure from vitreous prolapse.