Management of Pseudophakic Malignant Glaucoma in Sunset Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

To present an interesting case of pseudophakic malignant glaucoma in sunset syndrome, which potentially points to a correlation between a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) subluxation and development of aqueous misdirection. Furthermore, we underlined the effectiveness of YAG-laser hyaloidotomy as a first line treatment for malignant glaucoma. This is a case report and literature review. A 76-year-old male with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with a history of left monocular diplopia due to inferior dislocation of the PCIOL (sunset syndrome), presented with a sudden onset of pain in the left eye and decreased visual acuity with corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/60, seven years after an uneventful left phacoemulsification. The anterior chamber (AC) was shallow, the intraocular pressure (IOP) elevated and the PCIOL extruded in AC. Aqueous misdirection was diagnosed and treated with YAG laser hyaloidotomy. A gush of fluid emerged with simultaneous deepening of the AC and the IOP dropped immediately to 24 mmHg and later to 9 mmHg. A prophylactic YAG peripheral iridotomy was also performed. An IOL exchange surgery with anterior chamber IOL placement was performed a few days later resulting in a final CDVA of 20/30. We argue that postoperative subluxation of a PC IOL is likely to be an initiating event for aqueous misdirection.