Vitiligo iridis and glaucoma: a rare sequelae of small pox

Vitiligo iridis refers to focal areas of iris atrophy as sequelae of small pox infection. We report a series of patients with unilateral vitiligo iridis, some of whom presented with secondary open-angle glaucoma.

Three patients with vitiligo iridis underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination including intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, slit lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, and fundus evaluation. Patients' facial features were also documented and photographed.

All patients were in their sixth decade. Two out the three had elevated IOP (52 mm Hg and 36 mm Hg) in the same eye as vitiligo iridis, at initial presentation. Gonioscopy showed patchy iris hyperpigmentation and fundus evaluation showed glaucomatous optic disc changes in the involved eye. One patient responded favourably to topical antiglaucoma medications, whereas the other was taken up for combined phacoemulsification-trabeculectomy with good results. The third patient had normal IOP in the involved eye. All three patients gave a history of small pox in childhood and had pitted facial scars typical of previous small pox infection.

Vitiligo iridis may be associated with the secondary glaucoma as a long-term sequelae of small pox. It may be prudent to periodically follow-up such patients for development of raised IOP in the future.