A Case of Decompression Retinopathy after Glaucoma Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Acute decompression of the eye in patients with high intraocular pressure (IOP) can lead to development of posterior pole hemorrhages. The courses of this rare syndrome is relatively benign. Herein we report a case of decompression retinopathy that developed diffuse retinal hemorrhages after glaucoma surgery in both eyes. METHODS: A 17-year-old male patient diagnosed with juvenile primary open angle glaucoma (JPOAG) underwent glaucoma surgery on both eyes at five months interval. Visual acuity on presentation was no light perception (NLP) in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. On the first postoperative day, IOP was 4 mmHg and diffuse retinal hemorrhages was found in the posterior pole after nonperforating trabecular surgery and triangular reticulated sodium hyaluronidate (SK GEL 3.5) implantation in the right eye. Trabeculectomy with 0.02% mitomycin C soaking (1 minute) was performed in the left eye 5 month after the right eye operation. On the second postoperative day, IOP was 5 mmHg and diffuse retinal hemorrhages was also observed in the posterior pole of the left eye. During the follow-up period (8 weeks), the retinal hemorrhage was absorbed without impairment of visual acuity. RESULTS: Decompression retinopathy developed in the posterior pole of the patient with JPOAG after glaucoma surgery, and the hemorrhages were absorbed over time with no visual impairment.