Bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma and myopic shift by topiramate-induced ciliochoroidal effusion: case report and literature review

BCLA CLEAR presbyopia: Management with scleral techniques, lens softening, pharmaceutical and nutritional therapies

The aging eye undergoes the same progressive crosslinking which occurs throughout the body, resulting in increased rigidity of ocular connective tissues including the lens and the sclera which impact ocular functions. This offers the potential for a scleral treatment that is based on restoring normal biomechanical movements. Laser Scleral Microporation is a laser therapy that evaporates fractional areas of crosslinked tissues in the sclera, reducing ocular rigidity over critical anatomical zones of the accommodation apparatus, restoring the natural dynamic range of focus of the eye. Although controversial and challenged, an alternative theory for presbyopia is Schachar's theory that suggests a reduction in the space between the ciliary processes and the crystalline lens. Widening of this space with expansion bands has been shown to aid near vision in people with presbyopia, a technique that has been used in the past but seems to be obsolete now. The use of drugs has been used in the treatment of presbyopia, either to cause pupil miosis to increase depth of focus, or an alteration in refractive error (to induce myopia in one eye to create monovision). Drugs and laser ablation of the crystalline lens have been used with the aim of softening the hardened lens. Poor nutrition and excess exposure to ultraviolet light have been implicated in the onset of presbyopia. Dietary nutritional supplements, lifestyle changes have also been shown to improve accommodation and the question arises whether these could be harnessed in a treatment for presbyopia as well.

Glaucoma and Systemic Disease

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Due to its potential to cause permanent vision loss, it is important to understand how systemic conditions and their respective treatments can be associated with or increase the risk for developing glaucoma. In this review, we examined the literature for up-to-date discussions and provided commentary on glaucoma, its pathophysiology, and associated risk factors. We discuss systemic diseases and the impact, risk, and mechanism for developing glaucoma, including pharmacologically induced glaucoma; inflammatory and auto-immune conditions; infectious, dermatologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, urologic, neurologic, psychiatric and systemic malignancies: intraocular tumors; as well as pediatric, and genetic conditions. The goal of our discussion of systemic conditions including their commonality, mechanisms, treatments, and associations with developing glaucoma is to emphasize the importance of ocular examinations and follow-up with the multidisciplinary teams involved in the care of each patient to prevent unnecessary vision-loss.

Low-dose topiramate and hydrochlorothiazide-associated early acute myopia and angle narrowing: A case report

Purpose

To report a unique case of topiramate and hydrochlorothiazide associated with acute myopia and angle narrowing.

Patients and methods

A 34-year-old Asian woman presented with prominent binocular visual acuity decrease 6 h after taking only one dose of 25 mg topiramate, 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide, and 22.4 mg fluoxetine to lose weight. She was subsequently diagnosed with acute bilateral myopia and angle narrowing and was started on topical therapy.

Results

Initial examination revealed a decreased visual acuity of 20/100 bilaterally, an elevated intraocular pressure of 23 mmHg in the right eye and 24 mmHg in the left eye, suprachoroidal effusions, and angle narrowing. After the discontinuation of these drugs and the use of IOP-lowering medication, the patient made full recovery.

Conclusion

We speculate that there is a drug-drug interaction between topiramate and hydrochlorothiazide that may lead to the angle narrowing in a short time and at a low dose. Timely discontinuation of the drug usually leads to complete recovery within days to weeks.

The Ophthalmic Side Effects of Topiramate: A Review

Topiramate (TPM) is a sulfonamide drug with multiple modes of action. It inhibits carbonic anhydrase, blocks sodium channels, enhances potassium channels, and stimulates postsynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Pharmacists Joe Gardocki and Bruce Maryanoff synthesized TPM for the first time in 1979. The FDA did not approve it for medical use in the US until 1996. Around 2004, it was authorized for the prevention of migraine headaches. TPM, like any medication, has several side effects. Common aftermaths include weight loss, diarrhea, dizziness, sleepiness, fatigue, and coordination issues. Some people may experience mental health issues like memory problems, confusion, and speech or language difficulties. The most well-known ocular side effects of TPM are choroidal effusion syndrome, angle-closure glaucoma, and myopic shift. Aside from these, other ophthalmic adverse effects may arise in some people, including retinal problems, uveitis, visual field defects, myokymia, and neuro-ophthalmology complications. If such complications are not identified and treated promptly, they can be severe and vision-threatening, potentially leading to permanent blindness. TPM's application as a standalone and adjunctive therapy has increased over time. In 2019, more than 10 million prescriptions of TPM were issued. Due to its extensive use, medical professionals and patients must be aware of its potential repercussions, especially ophthalmic issues. The current review paper likewise makes a step in this direction. This article's primary purpose is to educate readers by providing a comprehensive assessment of the research on TPM's ocular side effects. All the information has been collected via a thorough search of the Google Search Engine and PubMed.

TOPIRAMATE-INDUCED BILATERAL ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA. A CASE REPORT

INTRODUCTION

Topamax (topiramate) is a drug used in the treatment of epilepsy or migraine. Its use may rarely be associated with the occurrence of secondary angle-closure glaucoma due to supraciliary effusion. Although the ocular finding resembles primary angle-closure glaucoma, bilateral infliction should always raise the suspicion that it is drug-induced glaucoma.

CASE REPORT

The authors present a case of a 51-year-old patient on Topamax therapy with sudden vertigo, headache and blurred vision. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral angle-closure glaucoma, which was initially treated in the classical manner by administration of local antiglaucoma drugs and pilocarpine, followed by administration of osmotically active substances and laser iridotomy. Only the subsequent discontinuation of Topamax and the use of local cycloplegics and corticosteroids led to the release of the anterior segment angle closure and normalization of intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSION

The indicating physician and ophthalmologist must be aware of the possible side effects of Topamax therapy to determine the correct diagnosis and to administer treatment appropriately.

Topiramate-induced ocular side effects in Egyptian patients, idiosyncratic versus dose-dependent effect, a prospective study

Background

To test the nature of the ocular side effects induced by topiramate (TPM) whether dose dependent or idiosyncratic, and to test various predictors that might influence the occurrence of those side effects.

Methods

Twenty patients treated with TPM were included in this study. Patients underwent ophthalmic assessment before and after 4 weeks of treatment by stable doses of oral TPM. We examined non-cycloplegic refraction (RF) in diopters, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) in mmHg, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) in mm.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between baseline and follow-up assessments in all tested ophthalmological parameters including errors of RF, ACD, IOP, and the BCVA. One case suffered from painful drop of vision in both eyes with elevated IOP and decreased ACD, and evident myopic shift 1 week after treatment with small dose of TPM. There was no significant effect of age, TPM dose, disease, and gender on all tested variables.

Conclusion

TPM can induce idiosyncratic, but not dose dependent, ocular side effects, namely myopic shifts and angle closure glaucoma. Those side effects were not disease, age, or gender dependent. However, ethnicity might play a role in induction of those side effects.

Topiramate-induced acute bilateral angle closure glaucoma confirmed by ultrasound biomicroscopy

Topiramate is a sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide used in the treatment of epilepsy and migraines. This case report demonstrates a 29-year-old female who complained of severe bilateral loss of vision 14 days after using topiramate for her migraine. On initial examination, visual acuities were counting fingers in both eyes. Intraocular pressures were 55 mmHg and 58 mmHg in the right and left eyes, respectively. Anterior segment examination showed bilateral conjunctival chemosis, mild corneal edema, and markedly shallow anterior chambers with closed angles on gonioscopy. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed bilateral anterior rotation of ciliary body with choroidal effusion. Topiramate was immediately discontinued, topical and systemic anti-glaucomatous treatment was administered. After 1-week follow-up, the patient had fully recovered.

Acute Angle-Closure Crisis Secondary to Topiramate-Induced Ciliochoroidal Effusion With Underlying Plateau Iris Configuration

Objective:

The development of ciliochoroidal effusions and secondary acute angle-closure crisis (AACC) is an uncommon side effect of topiramate, a common antiepileptic now FDA-approved for migraine prophylaxis. The mechanisms that underlie the development of ciliochoroidal effusions after topiramate use remain unclear.

Materials and Methods:

Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was also performed in all participants after stopping topiramate.

Results:

Six patient cases are presented with medication-induced AACC following the initiation or escalation of topiramate. Ciliochoroidal effusions were confirmed by gray-scale sonography in all patients at presentation. The images revealed either plateau iris configuration or atypical plateau iris configuration. Plateau iris configuration is defined by presence of an anteriorly rotated ciliary body processes and an absent posterior sulcus. Atypical plateau iris configuration refers to when the iris inserts directly into the ciliary body face. This case series, of medication-induced angle-closure crisis, suggests that plateau iris configuration is a shared anatomical feature in the development of topiramate-induced ciliochoroidal effusions.

Psychopharmacological Treatment, Intraocular Pressure and the Risk of Glaucoma: A Review of Literature

Through the years, the available psychopharmacological treatments have expanded with numerous new drugs. Besides weight gain, gastro-intestinal problems or Parkinson-like symptoms, ocular adverse effects of psychiatric drugs have been reported. These adverse effects are not common, but can be dangerous for the patient. This review summarises the current knowledge on the risk of raised intraocular pressure and glaucoma entailed by psychopharmacological treatment. Also, it provides updated data for clinicians involved in the treatment of patients with glaucoma or glaucoma risk factors. For this purpose, we performed an extensive literature search in the PubMed database using specific terms. Selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors are the best evidenced as having no association with glaucoma. Antipsychotics, and especially first generation, seem to have no correlation with an increased intraocular pressure and therefore possibly with a risk of glaucoma, although a special attention should be paid when using ziprasidone. Tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and topiramate should be avoided in patients diagnosed with glaucoma or at risk. Clinicians should be aware of the possible psychotropic drug induced glaucoma and monitor at risk patients closely in order to prevent this condition. Irrespective of the psychopharmacological regimen taken into consideration, the glaucoma patient should be under the strict supervision of the ophthalmologist.

Ocular Side Effects of Common Systemic Medications and Systemic Side Effects of Ocular Medications

When prescribing medications, it is important to consider the ocular side effects of common systemic therapy as well as potential systemic side effects of ocular medications. Although not an exhaustive list of medications/classes of medications, this article does include many commonly used drugs and also provides information on some topical therapies commonly used by ophthalmologists. These ocular medications may result in systemic effects and/or alter patients' management of systemic conditions.

The Challenge of Managing Bilateral Acute Angle-closure Glaucoma in the Presence of Active SARS-CoV-2 Infection

PURPOSE

To report a case of bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma associated with hyponatremia in the setting of chlorthalidone use and SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to demonstrate the challenges of managing this patient given her infectious status.

METHODS

This was a case report.

CASE

A 65-year-old woman taking chlorthalidone for hypertension presented to the emergency room with headache, pain, and blurry vision in both eyes and was found to be in bilateral acute angle closure. On laboratory investigation, she was severely hyponatremic and also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. B-scan ultrasound demonstrated an apparent supraciliary effusion in the right eye. Following stabilization of her intraocular pressures with medical management, she ultimately underwent cataract extraction with iridectomies and goniosynechiolysis in both eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a rare case of bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma associated with hyponatremia. Chlorthalidone use and perhaps SARS-CoV-2 infection may have contributed to this electrolyte abnormality and unique clinical presentation. In addition, we discuss the challenges of managing this complex patient with active SARS-CoV-2 infection during the pandemic.

Topiramate-induced angle closure glaucoma: Two unique case reports

The aim of this study is to report the side effects of oral topiramate in two young patients presented with bilateral ocular blurring and discomfort, causing unique development of secondary acute angle closure (AAC) after discontinuation of oral topiramate. Both patients, with a history of seizure and migraine, respectively, were taking oral topiramate to control their mentioned diseases. Both had secondary AAC and high intraocular pressure, after discontinuing topiramate. They were treated with topical medications and underwent initial and subsequent multimodal imaging to track up their response to the management. Ocular side effect, during topiramate use and possibly even after discontinuation, will improve early detection of secondary AAC. Topical management along with multimodal imaging of such cases can give optimal results.

A Rare Case of Unilateral Progressive Cataract in a Young Patient Receiving Topiramate

This case report presents an instance of unilateral cataract formation and its rapid progression following topiramate-induced bilateral acute angle closure. An 18-year-old female diagnosed with acute angle closure in both eyes had started treatment on the previous day at another healthcare facility. The patient presented with complaints of pain, sudden diminution of vision, excessive watering, and photophobia (both eyes) and reported the use of topiramate for headache for 10 days. There was no past history of decreased vision, trauma, uveitis, or use of steroids. Topiramate-induced bilateral secondary angle closure attack was the presumptive diagnosis. Topiramate use was stopped, and antiglaucoma drugs, topical cycloplegic, and topical steroids were started. On 1-day follow-up, clearer cornea and peripheral anterior capsular lenticular opacity of the right eye were observed. Gonioscopy showed closed angles. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography showed forward movement of the iris-lens diaphragm and closed angles. B-scan showed ciliochoroidal effusion in the right eye and normal left eye. At 2-month follow-up, formed anterior chamber and posterior subcapsular cataract in the right eye were seen. There were no lenticular changes in the left eye. Definite progression of cataract from day-1 to 2-month follow-up was seen in the right eye. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the rapid progression of cataract following topiramate-induced secondary angle closure in a young patient warranting surgical intervention.

Zonisamide-induced Choroidal Effusion: A Case Report

PURPOSE

To describe a case of zonisamide-induced bilateral choroidal effusion.

CASE REPORT

A 72-year-old woman presented with a 4-day history of bilateral blurred vision 9 days after initiating oral zonisamide for essential tremor. Clinical examination revealed an asymmetric choroidal detachment with open anterior chamber angle and intraocular pressure within the normal range. Posterior segment ultrasonography and ultrasound biomicroscopy both confirmed the presence of bilateral ciliochoroidal effusion. Zonisamide treatment was discontinued. One month after treatment discontinuation, the ophthalmological examination was normal and no further treatment was needed.

CONCLUSION

Zonisamide can cause an idiosyncratic reaction leading to choroidal effusion with or without acute angle closure. Early withdrawal of the causative agent is the key to reversing this condition. These findings indicate that zonisamide and other sulfa-derived drugs must be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of choroidal effusion of unknown cause.

Myopia and anterior segment optical coherence tomography findings in laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate structural features and visual outcomes in eyes with a prior history of laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

Laser-treated eyes for type 1 ROP, preterm monitored eyes, and full-term control eyes were included. LogMAR conversion of Snellen best-corrected visual acuity and spherical equivalent based on cycloplegic refraction were measured in children 5-15 years of age. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to study structural features, including anterior chamber angle (ACA) in a subset of eyes.

RESULTS

A total of 50 eyes of 50 patients were included (19 full-term eyes, 19 laser-treated type 1 ROP eyes, 12 preterm monitored eyes). Of these, 44 eyes had visual outcomes data, and 15 eyes had anterior segment data. There was no significant difference in sex or age at final examination between the three groups. There was no significant difference in gestational age between the laser-treated and preterm monitored groups. Compared with the full-term control group and the preterm monitored group, the laser-treated ROP group had narrower ACA and more myopic refractive error. There was a significant correlation between ACA and spherical equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser treatment may affect angle configuration in ROP eyes. Anterior segment OCT is an easy and useful modality that could aid in screening for visually impairing conditions such as myopia and glaucoma in children with ROP.

A review of systemic medications that may modulate the risk of glaucoma

With increasing longevity, patients are developing more and more chronic diseases that require treatment with medications. Yet, it is not fully understood the extent by which these systemic medications affect ocular structures and whether they may increase or decrease the risk of sight-threatening ocular diseases. This review provides a summary of reported associations between different systemic medications and the risk of developing glaucoma or experiencing disease progression. Medication classes covered in this review that are known to or may modulate the risk of open-angle glaucoma include corticosteroids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, metformin, statins, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, bupropion, postmenopausal hormones, and cannabinoids. Medication classes addressed in this review that may increase the risk of angle closure glaucoma include anticholinergics, adrenergic agonists, certain classes of antidepressants, sulfonamides, and topiramate.

SIMULTANEOUS BILATERAL ACUTE ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA IN MILLER FISHER SYNDROME

PURPOSE

To report a case of patient with Miller Fisher syndrome, complicated by simultaneous bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma in her slightly (+1.5) hyperopic eyes.

METHODS

We present a case report of a 71-year-old female patient presenting with total ophthalmoplegia, areflexia, ataxia and bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma.

RESULTS

The initial ocular examination revealed hand motion in the both eyes and oedematic corneas. Initial intraocular pressure was immeasurable high (measurment by Tonopen Avia). Measurement was possible after intravenous Mannitol 20 % infusion on both eyes as 54 and 56 mm Hg, respectively. Local medical therapy of pilocarpine, timolol, dorsolamide and dexamethasone improve intraocular pressure into normal limits within several hours. Prophylactic peripheral Nd-YAG laser iridotomy was performed on a both eyes two days later. Systemic treatment involved plasma exchange and rehabilitation program. Subsequent cataract surgery on both eyes with posterior capsule lens implantation improve the best corrected visual acuity on right eye from 0.5 to 1.0 and the left eye from 0.5 to 0.8, respectively. Intraocular pressure is within normal limits without any glaucoma therapy. Follow up period is three years.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the second reported case of patient with Miller Fisher syndrome and simultaneous bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma and the fifth reported case of Miller Fisher syndrome and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Treatment for both conditions made a very good recovery.

Acute narrow-angle glaucoma induced by topiramate with acute myopia and macular striae: A case report

We report the case of a 29-year-old epileptic woman who had been on treatment with topiramate 25mg/day for 9 days. She was referred to the Emergency Department due to reduction in far visual acuity (VA) after increasing the dose to 50mg/day two days before. The ocular examination showed bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) and macular striae in both eyes (AO) observed by Retinography and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The AACG is a well-known side effect of topiramate, but the macular striae rarely accompanies it. Although macular striae have been previously described in other cases, very few document those using retinography and OCT images. Therefore, it is important to differentiate a case of AACG induced by topiramate from a case of primary AACG, since they differ in their clinical presentation, mechanism of action, and treatment. Mismanagement can have potentially serious consequences.