A Case of Glaucoma in Hereditary Spherocytosis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of glaucoma and the inherited red cell membranopathy hereditary spherocytosis diagnosed simultaneously in 2 individuals in a family.

PATIENT: A 66-year-old man with normal pressure glaucoma and hereditary spherocytosis.

RESULTS

This patient presented with a branch retinal vein occlusion, and normal tension glaucoma that was incidentally detected. Further history revealed that the patient's maternal grandmother also had hereditary spherocytosis and glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesize that glaucoma and hereditary spherocytosis may be associated. Hereditary spherocytosis may be a potential risk factor for glaucoma by causing impaired blood supply to the optic nerve.