BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is an antiepileptic used for neuropathic pain treatment. Glaucoma can be conceptualized an optic neuropathy associated with characteristic structural damage to the optic nerve and associated visual dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To use gabapentin to relieve discomfort in a painful, blind glaucomatous eye of a patient unwilling to undergo further invasive treatment. DESIGN: Patient rated his pregabapentin and postgabapentin pain by a verbal descriptor scale and a numerical scale. RESULTS: Gabapentin provided significant pain relief (on a 0-10 scale, reduction from "8" to "0-2") at regular visits over 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin may relieve pain in a painful, blind, glaucomatous eye.
BACKGROUND:Gabapentin is an antiepileptic used for neuropathic pain treatment. Glaucoma can be conceptualized an optic neuropathy associated with characteristic structural damage to the optic nerve and associated visual dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To use gabapentin to relieve discomfort in a painful, blind glaucomatous eye of a patient unwilling to undergo further invasive treatment. DESIGN:Patient rated his pregabapentin and postgabapentinpain by a verbal descriptor scale and a numerical scale. RESULTS:Gabapentin provided significant pain relief (on a 0-10 scale, reduction from "8" to "0-2") at regular visits over 6 months. CONCLUSIONS:Gabapentin may relieve pain in a painful, blind, glaucomatous eye.