To report a case of secondary pigmentary glaucoma after implantable contact lens (ICL) implantation successfully treated with trabeculectomy without ICL removal.

A 29-year-old woman presented with refractory intraocular pressure (IOP) increase in both eyes. IOP was 22 mm Hg in the right eye and 39 mm Hg in the left eye. The patient received posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation in both eyes 22 months prior. Slit lamp examination revealed patent iridotomy sites in both eyes. Gonioscopy revealed open angles with 4-degree pigment deposits on the trabecular meshwork in both eyes. Ultrasound biomicroscopy examination confirmed contact between ICL and the posterior surface of the iris. In spite of well tolerated medical therapy and selective laser trabeculoplasty, IOP was 46 mm Hg in her left eye. Trabeculectomy was performed in her left eye without ICL removal. At 6 months postoperative, IOP measured 6 mm Hg without any anti-glaucoma medication and bleb was maintained in good condition in the left eye.

The results from this case study indicate that ICL implantation can lead to secondary pigmentary glaucoma and trabeculectomy without ICL removal may help to decrease the IOP.