Acute angle closure glaucoma in a patient admitted at the intensive care unit for the management of COVID-19

Abstract

Drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is a blinding condition that requires urgent management. Unfavorable conditions encountered at the intensive care unit (ICU) represent an increased risk of developing AACG. A 60-year-old female complained of photophobia, pain, and vision loss in her right eye while hospitalized in the ICU for COVID-19 management. Symptoms developed after the use of nebulized ipratropium bromide and salbutamol, prone positioning, and darkroom conditions. The patient was discharged 3 weeks after and diagnosed with AACG the next day. Despite management with hypotensive eye drops and cataract surgery, the patient developed bilateral glaucomatous damage and vision loss in her right eye.

Keywords

• cataract extraction
• covid-19 pandemic
• drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma
• intensive care unit
• intraocular pressure