Study: Angle closure in young patients differs from older population

Angle closure glaucoma in patients younger than 40 years is typically associated with structural and developmental anomalies, a retrospective study found. In an older population, angle closure glaucoma is generally associated with relative pupillary block, the study authors noted.

Robert Ritch, MD, and colleagues at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary reported on a noncomparative case series in which they reviewed the records of 49 women and 18 men with angle closure at a mean age of 34.4 years.

According to the study, plateau iris syndrome was present in 35 patients, iridociliary cysts in eight, retinopathy of prematurity in seven, uveitis in five, isolated nanophthalmos in three, relative pupillary block in two and Weill-Marchesani syndrome in three.

One patient was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, one patient with miotic-induced angle closure, one with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and one with idiopathic lens subluxation.

The authors noted that eyes should be watched for recurrent angle closure following laser iridotomy. The need for additional interventions should also be monitored.

The study is published in the October issue of Ophthalmology.