Progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy associated with chorioretinal microvascular embolism after intranasal injection of a corticosteroid suspension

Abstract

A patient with glaucoma developed sudden blurred vision immediately after the nasal mucosal injection of a betamethasone acetate solution into the inferior turbinate. The fundus examination revealed several white emboli in the choroidal vessels of the temporal region of the optic disc. After vigorous massage, her visual acuity recovered from counting fingers to 20/32. Six days after the initial examination, Goldmann perimetry showed expansion of the superior and inferior arcuate scotomas. In this case, temporary ischemia of the central retinal and short posterior ciliary arteries involving the arterial circle of Zinn–Haller led to the deterioration of the preexisting glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Keywords

• glaucomatous optic neuropathy
• ischemia
• steroid suspension
• visual acuity