Neovascular glaucoma and necrotizing scleritis with inflammation. Is there a relationship?

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to report a rare case of neovascular glaucoma in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus that progressed to necrotizing scleritis with inflammation. A 22-year-old male with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus experienced sudden painful vision loss on the right eye. Visual acuity on the right eye was no light perception, while it was 20/80 in the left eye. Intraocular pressure was measured at 35 mmHg, and the examination was consistent with neovascular glaucoma on the right eye. Treatment with hypotensive eye drops was initiated in the right eye, and panphotocoagulation laser therapy was performed on the left eye. After three weeks, there was worsening pain, redness, and the appearance of scleral thinning in the upper region of the right eye, followed by uveal protrusion. This presentation was consistent with necrotizing anterior scleritis with inflammation, despite negative serology for autoimmune diseases. Although rare, this report of the association between neovascular glaucoma and scleritis justifies the discussion of common inflammatory mechanisms in these diseases to enhance the understanding of the pathogenesis of these severe clinical presentations.

Scleritis; Diabetes mellitus, type I; Glaucoma, neovascular