Spontaneous malignant glaucoma: Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Malignant glaucoma usually occurs after anterior segment surgery (typically after glaucoma surgery). The aim of this article is to report a case of spontaneous malignant glaucoma (SpMG), which required phacovitrectomy for resolution and to review the cases of SpMG reported in modern literature. Only nine cases were identified. SpMG has no gender predilection and age at onset seems to be lower (mean age 47 years) than in secondary malignant glaucoma (SeMG). Nearly in half of the reported patients (4 out of 9) the condition had a bilateral presentation. The risk factors that have been identified for SeMG (nanophthalmos, shallow anterior chamber, iris plateau, zonular laxity) are underrepresented in SpMG.