Management of Steroid-Induced Glaucoma in a Patient with Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon inflammatory skin disorder typically presenting as painful skin ulcers, which may also exhibit extracutaneous findings. PG can occur at the site of trauma or surgery, which is known as the pathergic phenomenon. A 36-year-old man developed bilateral steroid-induced glaucoma after prolonged systemic immunosuppressive treatment for cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum. After successful Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgery with donor scleral patch graft in the right eye, the same surgery failed repeatedly in the left eye and complicated with the prolonged conjunctival necrosis and the exposure of the donor scleral patch graft. Under the impression of ocular involvement of PG, microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with XEN (R) Gel Stent was performed in the left eye; the conjunctival bleb was successfully formed without conjunctival necrosis, and intraocular pressure was well maintained. Ophthalmic surgery can be complicated in patients with PG, and the surgical option should be selected prudently to minimize surgical trauma. MIGS, as a minimally invasive surgical technique, could offer an advantage for patients with PG.

Automated summary

This article presents a case of a 36-year-old male patient who developed bilateral steroid-induced glaucoma after prolonged immunosuppressive treatment for cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum. While successful glaucoma valve implantation surgery was performed in the right eye, the same surgery repeatedly failed in the left eye and complicated with conjunctival necrosis and exposure of the donor scleral patch graft. Microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with XEN (R) Gel Stent was then performed in the left eye, resulting in successful formation of a conjunctival bleb without necrosis and maintaining stable intraocular pressure. Ophthalmic surgery in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum can be challenging, and MIGS may offer advantages as a minimally invasive surgical technique.