Progressive venous stasis retinopathy and open-angle glaucoma associated with primary pulmonary hypertension

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2006 May-Jun;37(3):230-3. doi: 10.3928/15428877-20060501-08.

Abstract

A 40-year-old woman who had primary pulmonary hypertension presented with dilated episcleral vessels, venous stasis retinopathy, and open-angle glaucoma with reflux of blood in Schlemm's canal in both eyes. Intraocular pressure was controlled with anti-glaucoma medication along with systemic treatment of congestive heart failure. However, venous stasis retinopathy progressed with subsequent development of branch retinal vein occlusion in her right eye. The stagnation of venous blood flow and elevation of venous pressure found in individuals with primary pulmonary hypertension is responsible for these intractable ocular complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / diagnosis
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / etiology*
  • Gonioscopy
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / complications*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / drug therapy
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / etiology*
  • Sclera / blood supply*
  • Varicose Veins / diagnosis
  • Varicose Veins / drug therapy
  • Varicose Veins / etiology*
  • Venous Pressure

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Antihypertensive Agents