Olanzapine-Induced Acute Angle Closure

• Published in: The American journal of case reports Vol. 22; p. e934432
• Main Authors: Alarfaj, Motazz A, Almater, Abdullah I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States International Scientific Literature, Inc 22.11.2021
• Subjects: Glaucoma, Angle-Closure - chemically induced; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure - diagnosis; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure - surgery; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Iris; Laser Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Olanzapine - adverse effects
• DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.934432
• ISSN: 1941-5923

BACKGROUND Drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma is an uncommon ocular emergency that may follow the administration of certain topical and systemic medications. Acute angle closure can be triggered by various classes of drugs, including adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, and serotonergic medications. Here, we report a rare case of drug-induced acute angle closure glaucoma secondary to olanzapine. CASE REPORT A 59-year-old male patient of Arabian Peninsula descent, known to have schizophrenia, presented to our Emergency Department with a 3-day history of right ocular pain and decrease in vision. He was started recently on olanzapine 5 mg once daily by his psychiatrist 1 week prior to the onset of his symptoms. The diagnosis of drug-induced pupillary block was made based on clinical and radiological findings. The patient was started on topical and systemic IOP-lowering agents. A therapeutic Nd: YAG laser peripheral iridotomy for the right eye was performed. On follow-up, his symptoms alleviated and clinical examination showed significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS The reported case highlights the importance of systemic medical history in secondary acute angle closure glaucoma. Physicians from other specialties should be aware of drugs triggering pupillary block and therefore be able to educate patients about symptoms of acute angle closure glaucoma.