Peripapillary and macular retinoschisis - A vision-threatening sequelae of advanced glaucomatous cupping

PURPOSE: To present a selected case series of advanced glaucoma-associated peripapillary and macular retinoschisis and response to various treatment strategies with a comprehensive literature review. METHODS: Retrospective observational case series. Retrospective review of five selected cases of advanced glaucoma with peripapillary and macular retinoschisis. RESULTS: All five patients had advanced glaucomatous damage with macular and peripapillary retinoschisis, three (patients 2, 3, and 5) had a neurosensory detachment of the macula. Increased intraocular pressure was managed with maximal antiglaucoma medications and G6 micropulse diode laser treatment in the first patient, transscleral diode laser in the second patient, mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy in the third patient, maximal antiglaucoma medications alone in the fourth patient, pars plana vitrectomy followed by trabeculectomy in the fifth patient. CONCLUSION: We speculate that peripapillary and macular retinoschisis may indicate a vision-threatening sequelae of advanced glaucoma. The probable inciting factor for this vision-threatening pathology being elevated intraocular pressure, fluctuations in intraocular pressure, and chronic glaucoma with advanced cupping. We emphasize that meticulous examination of the macula in patients with advanced glaucoma is mandatory. It is imperative to do OCT macula in patients with advanced glaucoma to diagnose this distinct entity at an earlier stage and preserve the existing visual potential.