Bilateral angle closure glaucoma with retinitis pigmentosa in young patients: case series

BACKGROUND: To report the ocular characteristics and management of three cases of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) concurrent primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). CASE PRESENTATION: Three middle-aged patients presenting with diminished vision, high intraocular pressure (IOP), and typical fundus manifestations of RP were clinically evaluated. The individualized treatment was based on the ocular conditions of each case. A novel genetic alteration in ZNF408 was identified in one patient. Two patients with short-axial eyes received unilateral combined trabeculectomy, cataract surgery, and Irido-zonulo-hyaloid-vitrectomy. One of them had a subluxated lens, managed with a capsular tension ring implantation. Their contralateral eyes, respectively, underwent laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. The third patient underwent bilaterally combined laser peripheral iridoplasty, LPI, and medication. Ultimately, all patients achieved the target IOP during a two-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Young patients with RP may have a risk of developing angle closure glaucoma, and conversely, patients with angle closure glaucoma at younger age should be aware of the presence of RP. Therefore, routine gonioscopy and IOP monitoring are required for RP patients, and detailed fundus examinations are warranted for young PACG patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-023-03190-y.