Uveal effusion and angle-closure glaucoma in primary pulmonary hypertension

To report a patient with uveal effusion and intermittent angle-closure glaucoma associated with primary pulmonary hypertension.

Observational case report.

A 78-year-old woman with primary pulmonary hypertension noticed pain and decreased vision in her right eye. Ocular examination disclosed excessive dilation of conjunctival and episcleral veins and uveal effusion with annular ciliochoroidal detachment in both eyes. The right eye revealed corneal edema with folds in the Descemet membrane, congested iris vessels, and a markedly shallow anterior chamber with a partially closed angle, corresponding to a recent attack of angle-closure glaucoma. Systemic treatment of her congestive heart failure with an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist resulted in a partial resolution of the uveal effusion and complete normalization of the anterior chamber depth.

Primary pulmonary hypertension may cause uveal effusion, leading to a forward displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm and intermittent angle-closure glaucoma.