Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
medium

This complication may be prevented by prompt reduction of intra-ocular pressure (IOP).

Once it occurs there is no specific immediate treatment.

short term
medium

This complication may be prevented by prompt reduction of IOP.

short term
medium

Between 30% and 41% of patients experience anterior chamber bleeding after LPI.[50]

long term
medium

Between 23% and 39% of patients experience cataract progression after LPI.[50]

variable
high

The fellow eye, which usually shares the anatomical predisposition for increased pupillary block, is at high risk for developing acute angle closure.

An untreated fellow eye has a 40% to 80% risk of developing an acute attack.

It is recommended that the contralateral eye be treated prophylactically with laser peripheral iridotomy if the chamber angle is found to be anatomically narrow.[17][24][47][48][49]

variable
medium

Patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) often present with higher IOP and more advanced visual field loss than those with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).[31] These finding suggest that PACG is a more IOP-dependent disease.

Following successful treatment of acute primary angle closure, there is some evidence that retinal nerve fibre layer thickness significantly decreases within 16 weeks after the attack.[23]

Adequate and prompt treatment with lowering of IOP will reduce the risk for permanent injury to the retinal ganglion cells and axons.

variable
low

Between 2% and 11% of patients report dysphotopsias after LPI.[50] These frequently resolve over time.[71]

variable
low

Between 6% and 10% of patients experience an IOP spike (8-17 mmHg increase from baseline) after LPI.[50]

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