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Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy with primary and secondary forms. Iatrogenic glaucoma secondary to medications is potentially blinding but preventable. Most drug profiles listing glaucoma as a contraindication or an adverse effect are concerned with inducing acute angle-closure glaucoma. Anticholinergic or adrenergic agents are the most common for inducing "pupillary block" angle-closure glaucoma. Patients with a narrow irido-corneal angle are at high risk. Sulfa drugs induce "non-pupillary block" angle-closure glaucoma as an idiosyncratic reaction to the drug in patients with an open or narrow irido-corneal angle. Steroids and a few antineoplastic agents induce open-angle glaucoma. The risk is higher with topical rather than systemic steroids. The first step in the management is discontinuation of the drug, followed by medical, laser, and, if necessary, surgical intervention.
L. J. Katz. Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Institute, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States. LJKwayne@aol.com
15 Miscellaneous
9.4.1 Steroid-induced glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders)
9.3.1 Acute primary angle closure glaucoma (pupillary block) (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.3 Primary angle closure glaucomas)
9.3.5 Primary angle closure (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.3 Primary angle closure glaucomas)