Acute angle closure triggered by oral benzodiazepines

ABSTRACT Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs that are prescribed worldwide with limited information on their ocular side effects. Acute angle closure glaucoma is an adverse event with a high risk of blinding, especially in the elderly. We report two patients under 45 years old who presented with bilateral acute angle closure secondary to use of two long half-life benzodiazepines (clonazepam and alprazolam). In addition to suspending the use of these medications and administering ocular hypotensive drugs, both patients were successfully treated with bilateral peripheral laser iridotomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bilateral acute angle closure secondary to the use of clonazepam and alprazolam.

摘要：苯二氮䓬类药物（benzodiazepines）是全球范围内广泛临床处方的精神活性药物，但其眼部不良反应的相关研究数据较为匮乏。急性闭角型青光眼（acute angle closure glaucoma）是一类致盲风险极高的不良事件，尤其多见于老年人群。本文报告2例45岁以下患者，因服用两种长效苯二氮䓬类药物——氯硝西泮（clonazepam）与阿普唑仑（alprazolam）——继发双侧急性闭角型青光眼。两名患者在停用上述药物并给予降眼压药物治疗的基础上，通过双侧周边激光虹膜切开术（peripheral laser iridotomy）成功获得治愈。据我们所知，本研究为首例因服用氯硝西泮与阿普唑仑继发双侧急性闭角型青光眼的病例报告。