Intraocular pressure variation during episodes of pigment dispersion and its relationship with the development of pigmentary glaucoma

Abstract

objective: To determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) variation during acute attacks of pigment dispersion and its relationship with the development of pigmentary glaucoma (PG). Methods: Retrospective, observational, and descriptive study of patients with pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS). IOP was recorded by Goldman tonometry during acute attacks of pigment dispersion, after cessation, and until last follow-up visit. results: We analyzed 13 patients; 9 women (69.2%) and 4 men (30.8%), with a mean age of 51.76 years. The minimum follow-up time was 12 months. During the acute phase of pigment dispersion, the mean IOP was 23.3 ± 8.6 mmHg, dropping to 15.2 ± 2.4 mmHg after the event (p < 0.0001). Only 5 (38.4%) patients ended up developing PG. The mean IOP of patients with PDS during the acute event was 22.5 ± 10.6 mmHg, compared to 24.6 ± 4.0 mmHg of those who developed PG (p = 0.0365). Conclusions: We found an elevated IOP in all patients analyzed during acute attacks of pigment dispersion. The IOP variations, along with its persistent elevation, and the appearance of the optic nerve and cup-to-disk ratio should be considered as potential risk indicators for the development of PG in these patients.