DILATED EPISCLERAL VESSELS AND OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA (RADIUS-MAUMENEE-SYNDROME)

Background Dilated episcleral vessels may be observed in patients with orbital tumors, carotid-cavernous-sinus fistula and other orbital obs tructive lesions. As an idiopathic phenomenon dilated episcleral vesse ls may be associated with secondary open-angle glaucoma. Patient We re port on a 59-year-old patient with a history of secondary open-angle g laucoma and dilated episcleral vessels for 5 years (Radius-Maumenee sy ndrome). Results In these patients, the pressure of the episcleral ves sels is elevated and therefore the outflow from Schlemm's canal is red uced. This leads to elevated intraocular pressure and secondary glauco ma. Conclusion Treatment options in this condition include medication to lower the intraocular pressure or microsurgical sinusotomy to reduc e the pressure-gradient from Schlemm's Canal to the episcleral vessels .