A Rare Association: Neovascular Glaucoma Accompanying Anterior Chamber Synchysis Scintillans

Synchysis scintillans, also known as cholesterolosis bulbi, is a degenerative eye pathology characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol crystals in the vitreous. It is typically observed bilaterally but can rarely be unilateral. It can be triggered by severe trauma, chronic inflammation, chronic retinal detachment, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, Coats’ disease, and retinoblastoma. In this report, we present a case with an uncommon association of anterior chamber synchysis scintillans and neovascular glaucoma.

Synchysis scintillans of the anterior chamber in a dog

Intraocular cholesterol granuloma (CG) associated with synchysis scintillans (SS) was diagnosed in a 5-year-old spayed Shetland sheepdog. During the initial clinical examination, the patient exhibited SS in the anterior chamber. Canine SS is usually found in the vitreous cavity, and SS in the anterior chamber has not been described. Since canine SS has been reported to be a non-progressive condition, and its long-term clinical course has not been adequately documented. The present case report describes the long-term clinical course of a case of canine SS, in which SS occurred in the anterior chamber, leading to intraocular CG formation, and eventually glaucoma.

ANTERIOR CHAMBER SYNCHYSIS SCINTILLANS: A CASE REPORT

Synchysis scintillans is a vitreous condition in which multiple golden brown opacities are formed as a result of chronic vitreous hemorrhage. Anterior chamber synchysis scintillans was described in patients with afakia or lens subluxation. We report a case of a 63-year-old man with a history of left eye trauma and complete loss of vision, who presented for left eye discomfort. The slit lamp examination revealed crystals of synchysis scintillans and rare inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, stromal iris atrophy, circumferential posterior iris synechiae, and complete lens opacity. Total retinal detachment was observed on ocular ultrasonography. Intraocular pressure value was in normal range. The distinctiveness of this case is the mechanism of vitreous crystals mobilization into the anterior chamber through an atrophic iris while intraocular pressure remains normal.