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Bilateral simultaneous acute angle closure attack triggered by an over-the-counter flu medication

International Ophthalmology volume 38, pages 1775–1778 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Most of the rare bilateral acute angle closure (AAC) cases are precipitated by systemic factors, such as drug intake, snake bite or general anaesthesia. We present a case of simultaneous bilateral AAC in a middle-aged male, precipitated by the use of medication for flu, containing an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist and an anticholinergic agent. In our case, axial length was shorter, anterior chamber depth was narrower, and the lens was thicker than normal, including the patient within the risk group for AAC. In this circumstance, drugs acted as triggers. Case description and evolution following treatment are completed with the discussion of mechanisms involved in triggering bilateral AAC in predisposed patients, as emerging from literature. This case report brings up the risk of bilateral AAC in patients at risk, of which ophthalmologists, physicians of other specialties and patients should be aware of.

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Funding

This study was funded by grant number PED 156, Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding, Romania.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8, V. Babeş Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Simona Delia Nicoară

  2. Clinic of Ophthalmology, Emergency County Hospital, 3 – 5 Clinicilor Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Ioana Damian

Authors
  1. Simona Delia Nicoară
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  2. Ioana Damian
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Correspondence to Simona Delia Nicoară.

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All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from the individual participant included in the study.

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Nicoară, S.D., Damian, I. Bilateral simultaneous acute angle closure attack triggered by an over-the-counter flu medication. Int Ophthalmol 38, 1775–1778 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0628-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-017-0628-x

Keywords

  • Bilateral acute angle closure
  • Adrenergic agents
  • Anticholinergic agents