Anterior chamber depth and angle-closure glaucoma after central retinal vein occlusion

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report the anterior chamber (AC) depth and the attack of angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) in eyes with the recent onset of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: This retrospective case series included 24 patients with recent onset of CRVO (within one month of attack) from July 2001 to December 2002. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 46 months (range: 3 to 92 months). AC depth was measured using an ultrasound biomicroscopy. Clinical data, including systemic disorders, intraocular pressure, and visual outcomes were recorded. The main outcome measures were AC depth in the diseased eye and the fellow eye of the same patient and the attack of ACG after CRVO. RESULTS: The mean AC depth in the diseased eyes was significantly shallower than in the unaffected fellow eyes (2.43 ± 0.45 mm vs. 2.55 ± 0.46 mm; p < 0.001). Four patients (17 %) developed ACG after the onset of CRVO within one month of the CRVO attack. In these four patients, the mean AC depth in the diseased eyes was 1.91 ± 0.21 mm, which was much shallower than the eyes without ACG attack (2.53 ± 0.40 mm). CONCLUSIONS: AC depth is significantly shallower following the onset of CRVO. ACG can occur in patients after the onset of CRVO.