Urrets-Zavalia syndrome following posterior segment surgery: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Introduction. Urrets-Zavalia syndrome (UZS) has been defined as a fixed and dilated pupil accompanied by iris atrophy and occasionally secondary glaucoma. The precise cause of the syndrome is uncertain. Most often it has been described following anterior segment surgery. The objective of this article is to present how to successfully handle patients with UZS after posterior segment surgery. We present all the dilemmas and difficulties we encountered during the diagnostic process. Case outline. This is a case presentation of a patient with UZS following scleral buckle procedure. To our knowledge, this is the first case of UZS following this type of posterior segment surgery. The delay in treatment was mostly due to the lack of knowledge about the linkage of this syndrome with posterior segment surgery. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, parasympathomimetic drops were administered. The patient responded well to the therapy and partial reduction of mydriasis and restoration of pupillary kinetics was observed. Conclusion. Two months after surgery, the treatment of UZS resulted in slight residual anisocoria with signs of iris atrophy. This could indicate reversible mechanism of UZS after posterior segment surgery with iris atrophy as the only permanent consequence.

Keywords

• urrets-zavalia syndrome
• retinal detachment
• scleral buckling
• pars plana vitrectomy