Acute angle-closure glaucoma following surgery for oral cancer

A 60-year-old woman who had undergone surgery of oral cancer under general anesthesia developed an attack of acute angle-closure glaucoma the next morning. Her intraocular pressure decreased immediately by adequate treatments including surgical procedures (laser iridotomy and trabeculectomy), and her symptom improved. It is considered that this event was induced by several factors such as atropine given before and during general anesthesia, perioperative hypertension and anatomical abnormalities. However the definite cause of this event is unclear. We conclude that it is difficult to predict a glaucoma attack following surgery under general anesthesia, but this complication is an important ophthalmologic emergency. Immediate diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be done to prevent the grave prognosis.