# Open-Angle Glaucoma Presenting as Delayed-Onset Interface Fluid Syndrome in a Patient With Minimal Risk Factors

**Authors:** Matthew McHarg, Matthew Denny, Sunita Radhakrishnan

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.103169 · Cureus · 2026-02-07

## TL;DR

A young man with no typical risk factors developed glaucoma years after LASIK surgery, highlighting the need for ongoing eye pressure monitoring.

## Contribution

This case presents a rare instance of open-angle glaucoma with delayed-onset interface fluid syndrome in a young patient with minimal risk factors.

## Key findings

- A 24-year-old male developed elevated intraocular pressure and glaucomatous damage years after LASIK.
- The patient lacked typical risk factors for glaucoma or interface fluid syndrome.
- Surgical implantation of a glaucoma drainage device stabilized vision and intraocular pressure.

## Abstract

A 24-year-old male underwent uncomplicated myopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) three years prior to presentation to our clinic for left eye blurry vision. On initial examination, fluid was noted at the LASIK flap interface, with an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye. His pressure remained high despite treatment with multiple topical IOP-lowering agents, and visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) testing showed glaucomatous damage. He was subsequently referred to a glaucoma specialist and underwent surgical implantation of a glaucoma drainage device in the left eye, with postoperative stabilization of vision and IOP. This case is unique due to the patient's age, the long latency period between LASIK and symptom onset, and the absence of typical predisposing risk factors for glaucoma or interface fluid syndrome (IFS). This report highlights the importance of regular IOP monitoring in postoperative LASIK patients and urges providers to have a low threshold for completing glaucoma testing in atypical cases of IFS.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** glaucoma (MONDO:0005041)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Toxoplasma (MESH:D014125), Glaucoma (MESH:D005901), ocular hypertension (MESH:D009798), infectious (MESH:D003141), endothelial cell dysfunction (MESH:D055954), visual field defect (MESH:D005128), uveitis (MESH:D014605), IOP (MESH:D064090), corneal edema (MESH:D015715), glaucomatous damage (MESH:D020263), blindness (MESH:D001766), juvenile open-angle glaucoma (MESH:D005902), Fluid Syndrome (MESH:D002559), altered vision (MESH:D014786), corneal (MESH:D003316), trauma (MESH:D014947), glaucomatous optic nerve damage (MESH:D020221), inflammation (MESH:D007249), myopia (MESH:D009216), reduced vision (MESH:D015354)
- **Chemicals:** steroid (MESH:D013256), latanoprost (MESH:D000077338), Ahmed (-), brimonidine (MESH:D000068438), dorzolamide (MESH:C062765), valacyclovir (MESH:D000077483), netarsudil (MESH:C000603944), timolol (MESH:D013999), acetazolamide (MESH:D000086)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

19 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12970951/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12970951