A Case of Glaucoma in Hereditary Spherocytosis

PURPOSE:To report a case of glaucoma and the inherited red cell membranopathy hereditary spherocytosis diagnosed simultaneously in 2 individuals in a family. PATIENT:A 66-year-old man with normal pressure glaucoma and hereditary spherocytosis. RESULTS:This patient presented with a branch retinal vein occlusion, and normal tension glaucoma that was incidentally detected. Further history revealed that the patient’s maternal grandmother also had hereditary spherocytosis and glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS:We hypothesize that glaucoma and hereditary spherocytosis may be associated. Hereditary spherocytosis may be a potential risk factor for glaucoma by causing impaired blood supply to the optic nerve.