Drug-induced acute angle closure glaucomaYves Lachkar and Walid Bouassida
Acute angle closure glaucoma is a potentially blinding
Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) occurs in pre-
side effect of a number of local and systemic drugs,
disposed individuals (hypermetropia, narrow angle, thick
including adrenergic, both anticholinergic and cholinergic,
lens) when the pupil is mid dilated. At least one-third of
antidepressant and antianxiety, sulfa-based, and
AACG cases are related to an over-the-counter or pre-
anticoagulant agents. The purpose of this article is to bring
scription drug. Drugs with a1 adrenergic or anticholiner-
this condition to the attention of clinicians using these
gic effects can precipitate attacks of AACG mainly by
compounds as well as ophthalmologists called to see the
mydriasis. Some drugs with no pupillary effect induce
AACG by ciliochoroidal effusion (sulpha-based drugs and
anticoagulants). The new term ‘acute angle closure crisis’
Acute angle closure glaucoma due to pupillary block,
replaces the former ‘acute angle closure glaucoma’ when
treatable by peripheral iridotomy, can be caused by
no glaucomatous optic nerve damage is observed before
adrenergic agents, either locally (phenylephrine drops,
the attack We will use both terms in this review.
nasal ephedrine, or nebulized salbutamol) or systemically(epinephrine for anaphylactic shock), drugs with
Both local (ocular drops, nasal and nebulized agents)
anticholinergic effects including tropicamide and atropine
and systemic drugs (e.g. atropine, adrenaline, ephedrine,
drops, tri and tetracyclic antidepressants, and cholinergic
some psychoactive and antiepileptic drugs) can induce
agents like pilocarpine. A novel anticholinergic form is the
AACG. Using the PubMed database we reviewed the
use of periocular botulinum toxin diffusing back to the ciliary
most recent articles (case reports and reviews) published
ganglion inhibiting the pupillary sphincter. Sulfa-based
drugs (acetazolamide, hydrochlorothiazide, cotrimoxazole,and topiramate) can cause acute angle closure glaucoma
Drugs that can induce AACG should be recognized not
by ciliary body edema with anterior rotation of the iris-lens
only because of the risk of AACG but also because certain
diaphragm. Iridotomy is not effective.
drugs can induce intermittent angle closure or exacerbate
Most attacks of acute angle closure glaucoma involvingpupillary block occur in individuals that are unaware that
they have narrow iridocorneal angles. Practitioners using
any of the above drugs should be aware of their potential to
precipitate an attack of acute AACG in predisposed
individuals that have shallow anterior chambers. Phenyl-ephrine drops are commonly used to induce pupillary
dilation for ocular fundus examination and may induce
acute angle closure glaucoma, adrenergic drugs, central
AACG in about 0.03% of nonselected patients .
France) is an a2-adrenergic agent that has a minor a1
Curr Opin Ophthalmol 18:129–133. ß 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
effect, causing mild mydriasis We observed twocases of AACG caused or precipitated by apraclonidine
Department of Ophthalmology, Glaucoma Institute, Saint Joseph Hospital, Paris,France
drops in predisposed patients (personal report, not pub-lished). Dipivephrine (Propine: Allergan France Sas,
Correspondence to Doctor Yves Lachkar, Department of Ophthalmology,Glaucoma Institute, Saint Joseph Hospital, 185, rue Raymond Losserand, 75674
Mougins, France) also has a mild mydriatic effect.
Paris Cedex 14, FranceTel: +33 1441 23420; e-mail:
Cases of AACG have been reported after systemic admin-
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology 2007, 18:129–133
istration of ephedrine for flu, surgical anaesthesia or
epinephrine (adrenaline) to treat anaphylactic shock
and ventricular fibrillation. Intake of nasal ephedrineand naphazoline in the acute management of epistaxis
ß 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
can induce AACG, which may be bilateral AACG is
believed to result more from the reflux through theipsilateral nasolacrimal duct than from the absorptionthrough the nasal mucosa, even though plasma levels
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
can be similar to those achieved with intravenous admin-
glaucoma attacks. Ates et al. recommend practising
an oblique penlight illumination test by anaesthesiolo-gists to estimate anterior chamber depth and determine
Nebulized b2-adrenergic agents (salbutamol, albuterol,
the population at risk. Patients at risk for AACG in the
terbutaline) are used for bronchodilation in patients with
postoperative period can be administered topical pilocar-
asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They
pine therapy to prevent any attack. Since symptoms of
can increase the intraocular pressure and induce transient
AACG may be overlooked or misinterpreted in a sedated
angle closure. Stimulating ciliary body b2-adrenergic
or comatose patient, any patient who has a red eye
receptors promotes aqueous humour secretion. Angle
and a subjective vision loss postoperatively should be
closure is exacerbated by pupil dilation caused by the
parasympathetic inhibitory effect of ipratropium, especi-ally when an anticholinergic drug is frequently connected
Corridan et al. reported a case of AACG which
These drugs can be absorbed through the cornea
occurred shortly after a series of injections of botulinum
and the conjunctiva after escaping from a face mask.
toxin around the eyelids for blepharospasm. Botulinum
Properly fitted and positioned masks and hand-held
toxin injected periocularly diffuses towards the ciliary
nebulizers can minimize ocular deposition of nebulized
ganglion and there impedes the cholinergic innervation
of the pupil. This complication, though rare, should betaken into consideration in predisposed patients who
Some other drugs that have indirect sympathomimetic
activity can induce AACG: amphetamines, some anti-depressant agents (imipramine, monoamine oxidase
inhibitors), cocaine, especially when used intranasally
Pilocarpine is used in some forms of glaucoma to constrict
the pupil and increase aqueous outflow through the majoroutflow pathways. It can, however, induce AACG due to
anterior movement of the iris-lens diaphragm, thus result-
Tropicamide is a short-acting anticholinergic commonly
ing in complete angle closure Eyes with zonular
used to induce pupil dilation for fundus examination.
weakness or exfoliation syndrome seem to be particularly
Atropine, homatropine and cyclopentolate used to relax
prone to developing miotic-induced angle closure
the ciliary muscle and dilate the pupil have long-acting
Ritch et al. reported chronic angle closure developing
anticholinergic action, and more frequently induce AACG
after several years of miotic therapy in eyes that initially
Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent: Boehringer Ingelheim
Acetylcholine and carbachol are topical medications used
France, Paris, France) is an antimuscarinic drug usually
to constrict the pupil during intraocular surgery, especi-
prescribed in combination with salbutamol in acute
ally cataract extraction. They can induce pupillary block
exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Many cases of AACG associated with nebulized ipratro-pium have been reported Fifty percent of
patients with preexisting narrow angles who received a
Tri and tetracyclic antidepressants are known to have
nebulized salbutamol and ipratropium combination
important anticholinergic side effects. They have fre-
manifest transient AACG As supposed for aeroso-
quently been associated with AACG in predisposed
lized b2-adrenergic agents, ipratropium escapes from the
face mask, diffuses through the cornea producing pupildilation and, in eyes with susceptible angles, angle
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have a
lower incidence of cholinergic side effects than tricyclicantidepressants. Nevertheless, many reports of AACG
Atropine is often used to treat bradycardia, especially
associated with paroxetine , venlafaxine
related to general anaesthesia. Postoperative AACG was
reported in patients after general anaesthesia for abdomi-
were reported. The weak anticholinergic and adre-
nal, orthopaedic, facial and endoscopic surgery
nergic activity and the mydriatic effect of increased
Several factors are likely to induce postoperative AACG
levels of serotonin are possible mechanisms of AACG.
in predisposed individuals: anticholinergic drugs (atro-
De Guzman et al. and Zelefsky et al. have
pine, scopolamine, and muscle relaxants), adrenergic
identified by ultrasonography supraciliary effusion that
drugs (ephedrine, epinephrine). Moreover, the peropera-
precipitates the AACG. Ophthalmological consultations
tive period carries the risk of psychological stress and
should be considered before starting treatment with SSRIs
darkness-induced mydriasis that may increase the risk of
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma Lachkar and Bouassida
heparin and low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin,
Some sulfa-based drugs have been associated with rare
warfarin) have been reported to cause AACG.
AACG: acetazolamide hydrochlorothiazide andcotrimoxazole
To manage increased intraocular pressure, anticoagula-tive treatment should be discontinued and the symptoms
Topiramate is a sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide
managed as for AACG. Peripheral iridotomy is not effec-
antiepileptic agent. Since it was approved in 1995, several
tive in the management. Surgery may be needed to drain
case reports have been published addressing its ocular side
effects, including AACG, transient myopia and uveal effu-sion The majority of adverse cases
have occurred in females (89%), in paediatric patients as
Histamine H1 receptor antagonists (brompheniramine,
well as adults. Eighty-five percent of cases occurred in
chlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, dexchlorphen-
the first 3 weeks of treatment with topiramate, in five
iramine, dimethindene, pheniramine, triprolidine) are
cases within hours after doubling the dose and in only
used to treat manifestations of allergic disease. Histamine
one case it occurred 49 days from the onset of therapy
H2 receptor antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine) are usedto treat gastroesophageal reflux and duodenal ulcers. Both
Patients were typically taking topiramate doses within
of them have a weak anticholinergic effect, which can
the normal therapeutic range. In only a few cases was the
induce mydriasis and AACG in predisposed patients
presentation unilateral. No risk factors are known for thissyndrome
Other drugsOne case of recurrent bilateral AACG after combined
The underlying mechanism has been better character-
consumption of ‘ecstasy’, a synthetic amphetamine deri-
ized with ultrasound technology. Ciliary body oedema
vate, and marijuana in a 29-year-old women was reported
causes relaxation of the zonules, which allows lens
Ecstasy increases the release of monoamine neuro-
thickening. Anterolateral rotation of the ciliary body
transmitters (serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine) and
about its attachment to the scleral spur leads to anterior
inhibits the uptake of serotonin from the synaptic gap.
displacement of the lens and iris and concomitant
It induces mydriasis and AACG in predisposed persons.
shallowing of the anterior chamber. Choroidal detach-ment and supraciliary effusion are frequently present.
Yalvac reported two cases of AACG in association with
Secondary angle closure glaucoma occurs without pupil-
topical administration of latanoprost . He speculates
lary block, therefore peripheral iridotomies are ineffec-
that latanoprost induces a swelling of the ciliary muscle,
pushing the iris-lens diaphragm anteriorly and initiatingthe AACG in predisposed patients.
Fluid movement in choroidal effusion could be related todrug-induced changes in membrane potential associatedwith topiramate. The finding of effusion in only a few
patients taking topiramate, however, suggests that it is an
A variety of drugs can cause AACG in susceptible indi-
The management of topiramate-related AACG requires
Table 1 Classification of drugs inducing acute angle closure
stopping the drug in concert with the prescribing physi-
cian, because decreasing the dose may exacerbate pre-
existing systemic conditions. In all reported cases, none
has subsided without discontinuation of the drug. If the
drug is stopped and medical management is instituted,
however, intraocular pressure may return to normal in a
period of hours to days If unrecognized as a drug-
related event, serious outcomes could occur (seven cases
of permanent vision loss have been reported).
Acute secondary angle closure glaucoma after massive
vitreous, choroidal or subretinal haemorrhage is a rare
complication of anticoagulant therapy. Risk factors are
overtreatment with anticoagulants, exudative age-related
macular degeneration and nanophthalmos Both
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
play, including pupillary block for which a peripheral
12 Hall SK. Acute angle-closure glaucoma as a complication of combined beta-
agonist and ipratropium bromide therapy in the emergency department. Ann
iridectomy can be curative, ciliary or suprachoroidal
effusion, or even vitreous haemorrhage with forward
13 De Saint Jean M, Boursier T, Borderie V. Acute closure-angle glaucoma after
movement of the iris-lens diaphragm and shallowing of
treatment with ipratropium bromide and salbutamol aerosols. J Fr Ophthalmol2000; 23:603–605.
the anterior chamber. Iridectomy for these latter causes
14 Mitchell JD, Schwartz AL. Acute angle-closure glaucoma associated with
intranasal cocaine abuse. Am J Ophthalmol 1996; 122:425 –426.
15 Hari CK, Roblin DG, Clayton MI. Acute angle closure glaucoma precipitated
The problem is to know which eye is at risk. Most attacks
by intranasal application of cocaine. J Laryngol Otol 1999; 113:250 –251.
16 Tripathi RC, Triathi BJ, Haggerty C. Drug-induced glaucomas: mechanism
involving pupillary block occur in individuals that are
and management. Drug Saf 2003; 26:749–767.
unaware that they have narrow iridocorneal angles. Physi-
17 Brooks AM, West RH, Gillies WE. The risk of precipitating acute angle-
cians using these drugs cannot practically send each and
closure glaucoma with the clinical use of mydriatic agents. Med J Aust 1986;145:34–36.
every patient to an ophthalmologist for gonioscopy and it
18 Lentschener C, Ghimouz A, Bonnichon P, et al. Acute postoperative glau-
is not helpful to ask the patient if they have glaucoma
coma after nonocular surgery remains a diagnostic challenge. Anesth Analg
since they would be asymptomatic. With open angle
glaucoma, there is virtually no risk of AACG. With angle
19 Ates H, Kayikc¸ioglu O, Andac¸ K. Bilateral angle closure glaucoma following
general anesthesia. Int Ophthalmol 2001; 23:129–130.
closure glaucoma already treated by iridotomy, filtering
20 Corridan P, Nightingale S, Mashoudi N, et al. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
surgery, or cataract extraction, there is also no real risk.
following botulinum toxin injection for blepharospasm. Br J Ophthalmol 1990;
There is no ideal solution to the problem except to warn
medical practitioners to be wary of patients wearing thick
21 Ritch R, Lowe RF. Angle-closure glaucoma: clinical types. In: Ritch R, Shields
MB, Krupin T, editors. The glaucomas. St Louis: Mosby; 1996. pp. 829–830.
hyperopic glasses that magnify objects. One could also
22 Ritch R, Krupin BT, Henry C, et al. Oral imipramine and acute angle closure
recommend use of the lateral penlight method to esti-
glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol 1994; 112:67–68.
23 Epstein NE, Goldbloom DS. Oral imipramine and acute angle-closure glau-
coma. Arch Ophthalmol 1995; 113:698.
Practitioners using any of the above drugs should be
24 Schlingemann RO, Smit AA, Lunel HF, et al. Amaurosis fugax on standing and
angle-closure glaucoma with clomipramine. Lancet 1996; 347:465.
aware of their potential to cause acute angle closure.
25 Eke T, Bates AK, Carr S. Drug points: acute angle closure glaucoma
Any patient presenting with signs or symptoms of AACG
associated with paroxetine. BMJ 1997; 314:1387.
should be referred immediately to an ophthalmologist.
26 Levy J, Tessler Z, Klemperer I, et al. Late bilateral acute angle-closure
glaucoma after administration of paroxetine in a patient with plateau irisconfiguration. Can J Ophthalmol 2004; 39:780–781.
27 Kirwan JF, Subak-Sharpe I, Teimory M. Bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma
Papers of particular interest, published within the annual period of review, have
after administration of paroxetine. Br J Ophthalmol 1997; 81:252–254.
28 Bennett HG, Wyllie AM. Paroxetine and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Eye
29 Browning AC, Reck AC, Chisholm IH, et al. Acute angle closure glaucoma
Additional references related to this topic can also be found in the Current
presenting in a young patient after administration of paroxetine. Eye 2000; 14
World Literature section in this issue (p. 177).
European Glaucoma Society. Primitive angle closure. In: Guide for glaucoma.
30 de Guzman MHP, Thiagalingam S, Ong PY, et al. Bilateral acute angle closure
2nd edition. Dogma, Savona, Italy 2003. pp. 2–13.
caused by supraciliary effusions associated with venlafaxine intake. Med JAust 2005; 182:121 –122.
Wolfs RC, Grobbee DE, Hofman A, et al. Risk of acute angle-closureglaucoma after diagnostic mydriasis in nonselected subjects: the Rotterdam
31 Ng B, Sanbrook GMC, Malouf AJ, et al. Venlafaxine and bilateral acute angle
Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997; 38:2683 –2687.
closure glaucoma. Med J Aust 2002; 176:241.
Patel KH, Javitt JC, Tielsch JM. Incidence of acute angle-closure glaucoma
32 Ezra DG, Storoni M, Whitefield LA. Simultaneous bilateral acute angle closure
after pharmacological mydriasis. Am J Ophthalmol 1995; 120:709 –
glaucoma following venlafaxine treatment. Eye 2006; 20:128–129.
This article reports the case of simultaneous bilateral acute AACG 4 h after takingthe first oral dose of venlafaxine. Exact mechanism of precipitation of acute angle
Pozzi D, Giraud C, Callanquin M. Drugs and closed-angle glaucoma risk. J Fr
closure remains unclear; it is likely to implicate a mydriatic aetiology.
33 Jimenez-Jimenez FJ, Orti-Pareja M, Zurdo JM. Aggravation of glaucoma with
Lachkar Y, Migdal C, Dhanjil S. Effect of brimonidine tartrate on ocular
fluvoxamine. Ann Pharmacother 2001; 35:1565 –1566.
hemodynamic measurements. Arch Ophthalmol 1998; 116:1591–1594.
34 Croos R, Thirumalai S, Hassan S. Citalopram associated with acute angle-
Zenzen CT, Eliott D, Balok EM. Acute angle-closure glaucoma associated
closure glaucoma: case report. BMC Ophthalmology 2005; 5:23.
with intranasal phenylephrine to treat epistaxis. Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122:655–656.
35 Zelefsky JR, Fine HF, Rubinstein VJ. Escitalopram-induced uveal effusions
and bilateral angle closure glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 2006; 141:1144–
Khan MAJ, Watt LL, Hugkulstone CE. Bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma
after use of FenoxTM nasal drops. Eye 2002; 16:662–663.
In this article there are excellent images of ultrasound biomicroscopy before and
Wilcsek GA, Vose MJ, Francis IC, et al. Acute angle closure glaucoma
after discontinuation of escitalopram and medical treatment of associated AACG.
following the use of intranasal cocaine during dacryocystorhinostomy. Br J
Ciliochoroidal effusion with detachment and anterior rotation of the ciliary body is
obviously the main mechanism of AACG.
Rho QS. Acute angle-closure glaucoma after albutolol nebulizer treatment.
36 Costagliola C, Parmeggiani F, Sebastiani A. SSRIs and intraocular pressure
Am J Ophthalmol 2000; 130:123 –124.
modifications: evidence, therapeutic implications and possible mechanisms. CNS Drugs 2004; 18:475–484.
10 Reuser T, Flanagan DW, Borland C, et al. Acute angle closure glaucoma
occurring after nebulized bronchodilater treatment with ipratropium bromide
37 Geanon JD, Perkins TW. Bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma associated
and salbutamol. J Royal Soc Med 1992; 85:499–500.
with drug sensitivity to hydrochlorothiazide. Arch Ophthalmol 1995; 113:1231–1232.
11 Shah P, Dhurjon L, Metcalfe T, et al. Acute angle closure glaucoma asso-
ciated with nebulised ipratropium bromide and salbutamol. BMJ 1992;
38 Fraunfelder FW, Fraunfelder FT. Topiramate-associated acute, bilateral,
secondary angle-closure glaucoma. Ophthalmology 2004; 111:109 –111.
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma Lachkar and Bouassida
39 Fraunfelder FW, Fraunfelder FT. Adverse ocular drug reactions recently
46 Banta JT, Hoffman K, Budenz DL, et al. Presumed topiramate-induced
identified by the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects.
bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 2001; 132:
Ophthalmology 2004; 111:1275–1279.
40 Boentert M, Aretz H, Ludemann P. Acute myopia and angle-closure glaucoma
47 Schlote T, Freudenthaler N, Gelisken F. Anticoagulative therapy in patients
induced by topiramate. Neurology 2003; 61 (1-2):1306.
with exudative age-related macular degeneration: acute angle closure glau-
41 Asconape´ JJ. Some common issues in the use of antiepileptic drugs. Semin
coma after massive intraocular hemorrhage. Ophthalmologe 2005; 102:
42 Craig JE, Ong TJ, Louis DL, et al. Mechanism of topiramate-induced acute-
48 Neudorfer M, Leibovitch I, Goldstein M, et al. Massive choroidal hemorrhage
onset myopia and angle closure glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 2004; 137:
associated with low molecular weight heparin therapy. Blood Coagul Fibri-
43 Levy J, Yagev R, Petrova A, et al. Topiramate-induced bilateral angle-closure
glaucoma. Can J Ophthalmol 2006; 41:221–225.
49 Caronia RM, Sturm RT, Fastenberg DM, et al. Bilateral secondary angle-
In this case report, the authors describe cilio-chroidal effusion in topiramate-related
closure glaucoma as a complication of anticoagulation in a nanophthalmic
AACG. They classify drugs and other reported causes of bilateral AACG.
patient. Am J Ophthalmol 1998; 126:307–309.
44 Rhee DJ, Ramos-Esteban JC, Nipper KS. Rapid resolution of topiramate-
50 Trittibach P, Frueh BE, Goldblum D. Bilateral angle-closure glaucoma after
induced angle-closure glaucoma with methylprednisolone and mannitol. Am J
combined consumption of ‘ecstasy’ and marijuana. Am J Emerg Med 2005;
Inflammation is an associated pathophysiologic condition in topiramate-inducedAACG. Thus, combination of systemic mannitol and methylprednisolone can
51 Yalvac IS, Tamcelik N, Duman S. Acute angle-closure glaucoma associated
with latanoprost. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2003; 47:530–531.
52 Berdy GJ, Berdy SS, Odin LS, et al. Angle closure glaucoma precipitated by
45 Ikeda N, Ikeda T, Nagata M, et al. Ciliochoroidal effusion syndrome induced by
aerosolized atropine. Arch Intern Med 1992; 151:1658 –1660.
sulfa derivatives. Arch Ophthalmol 2002; 120:1775.
Copyright Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
ORIENTAL MEDICAL HISTORY Please help us provide you with a complete evaluation by taking the time to fill out this questionnaire carefully. All of your answers will be held absolutely confidential. If you have any questions, please ask. NAME_______________________________EMAIL________________Date_________ HOME PHONE_______________ CELL_______________WORK_________________ ADDRESS_____________
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 161 , 105–121. With 1 figure An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG IIIboj_996105.121 1 Recommended citation: APG III (2009). This paper was compiled by Birgitta Bremer, Kåre Bremer,Mark W. Chase, Michael F. Fay, James L. Reveal, Douglas E. Soltis, Pamela S. Soltis and