Bilateral Acute Angle-Closure Crisis Associated with Oral Tramadol Use After Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy: A Case Report

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Tramadol-associated acute angle-closure crisis is rare and has been reported only once previously following subcutaneous administration. Acute angle closure may occur in anatomically predisposed individuals in the setting of perioperative physiological stress, with medications acting as contributory factors. <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 38-year-old woman developed a bilateral acute angle-closure crisis shortly after initiating oral tramadol for postoperative pain relief following an uncomplicated robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy. Within 24 h, she experienced headache, nausea, vomiting, periocular pain, and blurred vision. Ophthalmic examination revealed markedly elevated intraocular pressure (45 mmHg OD, 39 mmHg OS), corneal epithelial edema, mid-dilated pupils, and completely closed angles on gonioscopy. Prompt intraocular pressure-lowering therapy followed by bilateral Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy resulted in full anatomical and functional recovery, with visual acuity returning to baseline within 48 h. <b>Conclusions</b>: In this case, extreme anatomical susceptibility due to significant hyperopia and very short axial lengths likely played a dominant role, with perioperative physiological factors contributing to pupillary dilation. Oral tramadol may have acted as a permissive factor lowering the threshold for angle closure rather than as a sole causative agent. Awareness of this potential association is important to facilitate early ophthalmic referral and prevent unnecessary diagnostic evaluations.

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Publication Details

Journal
Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
Published
2026-01-13
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/reports9010024
Primary Topic
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
Type
article
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article

Bilateral Acute Angle-Closure Crisis Associated with Oral Tramadol Use After Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy: A Case Report

Ran Matlov Kormas, Matan Bar, Assaf Kratz
Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
article

Bilateral Acute Angle-Closure Crisis Associated with Oral Tramadol Use After Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy: A Case Report

Ran Matlov Kormas, Matan Bar, Assaf Kratz
article en

Abstract

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Tramadol-associated acute angle-closure crisis is rare and has been reported only once previously following subcutaneous administration. Acute angle closure may occur in anatomically predisposed individuals in the setting of perioperative physiological stress, with medications acting as contributory factors. <b>Case Presentation</b>: A 38-year-old woman developed a bilateral acute angle-closure crisis shortly after initiating oral tramadol for postoperative pain relief following an uncomplicated robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy. Within 24 h, she experienced headache, nausea, vomiting, periocular pain, and blurred vision. Ophthalmic examination revealed markedly elevated intraocular pressure (45 mmHg OD, 39 mmHg OS), corneal epithelial edema, mid-dilated pupils, and completely closed angles on gonioscopy. Prompt intraocular pressure-lowering therapy followed by bilateral Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy resulted in full anatomical and functional recovery, with visual acuity returning to baseline within 48 h. <b>Conclusions</b>: In this case, extreme anatomical susceptibility due to significant hyperopia and very short axial lengths likely played a dominant role, with perioperative physiological factors contributing to pupillary dilation. Oral tramadol may have acted as a permissive factor lowering the threshold for angle closure rather than as a sole causative agent. Awareness of this potential association is important to facilitate early ophthalmic referral and prevent unnecessary diagnostic evaluations.

Reports — Medical Cases Images and VideosVol. 9(1)
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL), Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL), Hadassah Medical Center (IL), Soroka Medical Center (IL)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 89%
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
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