Bilateral Simultaneous Acute Angle‐Closure Glaucoma Following Over‐the‐Counter Cold Medication

Purpose: We report a case of bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma occurring concurrently after the intake of dextromethorphan, a commonly used over-the-counter medication for flu symptom relief. Case Presentation: A 65-year-old woman presented with bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma following 5 days of treatment with an OTC medication. Her intraocular pressures (IOPs) were 57 mmHg in the right eye and 50 mmHg in the left. Slit lamp biomicroscopy revealed shallow anterior chambers bilaterally, and gonioscopy confirmed angle closure. Management involved immediate discontinuation of the offending medication, initiation of antiglaucoma treatment, and bilateral Nd: YAG laser iridotomy, which successfully normalized IOP and resolved the angle-closure attack. Conclusion: This case highlights that commonly used OTC cold and flu remedies can trigger acute angle-closure glaucoma, particularly in predisposed individuals. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention are crucial to prevent vision loss.