Recurrent intraocular hypertension during hemodialysis in glaucoma patient

ABSTRACT Acute ocular hypertension during hemodialysis is a rare event and may lead to interruption of dialytic therapy due to pain. A case of a 70-year-old male patient is reported, who presented recurrent intense unilateral ocular pain episodes during dialysis sessions for increased intraocular pressure. The patient presented with severely decreased visual acuity in the right eye due to neovascular glaucoma, which was controlled with topical hypotensive medication. One hour after initiating dialysis, he presented an excruciating pain on the right eye, which required interruption of treatment several times. Pain relief was possible only with intravenous opioids, or approximately 6 hours after dialysis. Intraocular injection of antiangiogenic drugs and per oris acetazolamide, as well as other traditional treatments for acute episodes of intraocular hypertension, such as topical antihypertensive agents and hyperosmotic medications, were not sufficient to control pain. The problem was solved with transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation, which reduced baseline intraocular pressure and controlled pain, enabling complete hemodialysis sessions. The pathophysiological aspects and therapeutic options of this unusual condition are discussed.