Severe Neovascular Glaucoma Exacerbation as a Complication of Carotid Artery Stenting: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) has been rarely reported as an acute complication of carotid endarterectomy, but there is scant literature available regarding this potential condition following carotid artery stenting (CAS). We present a case of severe worsening of NVG occurring after bilateral CAS with progressive deterioration of vision ultimately leading to blindness. Case Description: A 66-year-old male with multiple stroke risk factors, bilateral cataract extraction, proliferative diabetic retinopathy of left eye, and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of right eye, and prior left eye pars plana vitrectomy presented with episodes of transient right eye vision loss in context of bilateral high-grade internal carotid artery stenoses. He underwent right CAS with subsequent elevation of bilateral intraocular pressures (IOPs) concerning for acute NVG. Over time, the patient had some interval improvement in IOPs and underwent planned left CAS. After the procedure, he again developed elevated IOPs, concerning for acute NVG which eventually led to right eye pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage and refractory IOP elevation. At 6-month follow-up from initial stenting, the patient was blind in both eyes. Discussion: We present a case of recurrent IOP elevations following CAS eventually resulting in bilateral eye blindness. This case is important not only as an illustration of an underrecognized postprocedural CAS complication but also as a demonstration of likely elevated risk of NVG following CAS for patients with other predisposing risk factors for ocular hypertension such as glaucoma, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, prior cataract extraction, and prior pars plana vitrectomy.