Primary angle-closure glaucoma, a rare but severe complication after blepharoplasty: Case report and review of the literature.
- Author:
Isabelle Francisca Petronella Maria KAPPEN
1
;
Duy Thuan NGUYEN
;
Albert VOS
;
Hermanus Wilhelmus Hendricus Joseph VAN TITS
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Glaucoma; Blepharoplasty; Postoperative complications; Oculoplasty; Blindness
- MeSH: Anesthesia, Local; Blepharoplasty*; Blindness; Cataract; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure*; Humans; Ophthalmology; Postoperative Complications; Pupil; Referral and Consultation; Risk Factors; Surgeons
- From:Archives of Plastic Surgery 2018;45(4):384-387
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures. Surgical complications are rare, but can have severe consequences, such as permanent vision loss. In this report, we describe a patient who developed primary angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) with associated vision loss after a oculoplastic procedure using local anesthesia. So far, six similar cases have been described in the literature. It is believed that acute ACG is triggered by the surgical procedure in patients with predisposing risk factors such as a cataract. Surgical triggering factors include the use of buffered lidocaine/xylocaine with adrenaline/epinephrine, stress, and coverage of the eyes postoperatively. Due to postoperative analgesic use, the clinical presentation can be mild and atypical, leading to a significant diagnostic delay. Acute ACG should therefore be excluded in each patient with postoperative complaints by assessing pupillary reactions. If a fixed mid-wide pupil is observed in an ophthalmologic examination, an immediate ophthalmology referral is warranted. Surgeons should be aware of this rare complication in order to offer treatment at an early stage and to minimize the chance of irreversible vision loss.
