Iatrogenic Glaucoma Secondary to Medications

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.