Transient angle-closure glaucoma in central retinal vein occlusion

Two cases are presented in which unilateral transient angle-closure glaucoma accompanied occlusion of the central retinal vein. In both cases, the uninvolved eye had a wide-open angle and the involved eye demonstrated a marked anterior displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm. Short-term treatment with cycloplegics and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors resulted in a rapid and permanent deepening of both angles. The similarity of this picture to malignant glaucoma as well as possible causative factors is discussed.