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Full-Circle Cauterization of Limbal Vascular Plexus for Surgically Induced Glaucoma in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2022
Drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma.
Yves Lachkar1, Walid Bouassida
1Department of Ophthalmology, Glaucoma Institute, Saint Joseph Hospital, Paris, France. ylachkar@club-internet.fr
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|February 16, 2007
Summary
Certain medications can trigger acute angle closure glaucoma, a serious eye condition. Clinicians should be aware of these drug side effects to prevent vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is a severe ocular condition that can lead to blindness.
- Several classes of medications, both topical and systemic, are associated with inducing AACG.
Purpose of the Study:
- To alert clinicians to the potential for drug-induced AACG.
- To inform ophthalmologists about specific medications that can precipitate AACG.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on drug-induced AACG.
- Categorization of causative agents based on their pharmacological class and mechanism of action.
Main Results:
- Adrenergic, anticholinergic, cholinergic, antidepressant, antianxiety, sulfa-based, and anticoagulant drugs can cause AACG.
- Pupillary block AACG, often treatable with peripheral iridotomy, can result from adrenergic agents (e.g., phenylephrine, epinephrine), anticholinergics (e.g., tropicamide, atropine), tricyclic antidepressants, and cholinergic agents (e.g., pilocarpine).
- Sulfa-based drugs (e.g., acetazolamide, topiramate) can induce AACG via ciliary body edema, which is not responsive to iridotomy.
Conclusions:
- AACG attacks, particularly those involving pupillary block, frequently occur in individuals with undiagnosed narrow iridocorneal angles.
- Healthcare providers prescribing or administering the implicated medications must exercise vigilance regarding the risk of AACG.
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