Topical Corticosteroid-Resolved Rubeosis Iridis with Neovascular Glaucoma Caused by Noninfectious Granulomatous Uveitis

Abstract

Purpose: We report a case of topical corticosteroid treatment-resolved rubeosis iridis with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) caused by noninfectious granulomatous uveitis. Case Report: A 61-year-old woman with left ocular pain and blurred vision was referred to our department. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) were 20/60 and 37 mm Hg in the left eye, respectively. Inflammatory cells, hyphema, and rubeosis iridis were observed. All laboratory tests, including multiplex polymerase chain reaction for infection using aqueous humor, were negative, and there was neither retinal occlusive vasculitis nor retinal ischemia in the fundus. Our diagnosis was noninfectious granulomatous anterior uveitis-associated NVG. Topical corticosteroid treatment and anti-glaucoma agents resolved inflammation, rubeosis iridis, and NVG. IOP had decreased to 13 mm Hg by 1 month of treatment, and no recurrence was observed. Conclusion: Topical corticosteroid could resolve rubeosis iridis and NVG in an eye with noninfectious anterior uveitis. The pathogenesis of NVG in eyes with uveitis is still unknown, but inflammation might have a part in angiogenesis. Anti-inflammatory treatment can be selected as the first choice for anterior uveitis-associated NVG.

Keywords

• Topical corticosteroid
• Uveitis
• Neovascular glaucoma
• Inflammation
• Rubeosis