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Abstract #5338 Published in IGR 1-2
A tooth for an eye: dental procedures in unrecognized glaucoma
Joseph AJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine 1999; 92: 249
This is a report of a 57-year-old woman who consulted her dentist because of intermittent pain in her right upper jaw associated with blurring of vision in her right eye. She had these symptoms towards the evening and they were relieved by sleep. The dentist extracted two teeth. Unfortunately the symptoms continued and ten weeks later the right eye became red and painful, with drastically reduced vision. The pain in the right upper jaw became worse. On examination she was found to have acute angle closure glaucoma in the right eye. Bilateral laser iridotomies were performed and three months later she was completely free of symptoms. This unusual case shows that the pain from acute angle closure glaucoma may be localized in the upper jaw. This patient had to lose two teeth before the correct diagnosis was made. When visual pain is associated with visual symptoms or features of ocular inflammation, an ophthalmic opinion is warranted.
Dr. A. Joseph, Department of Ophthalmology, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Derby DE1 2QY; UK
Classification:
9.3.1 Acute primary angle closure glaucoma (pupillary block) (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.3 Primary angle closure glaucomas)
