Incidence and prognosis of ocular hypertension secondary to viral uveitis

Abstract

This retrospective study was designed to estimate the cumulative incidence of glaucoma in viral uveitis. Seventy-six consecutive patients with viral stromal keratouveitis were divided into two groups according to the etiologic agents herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratouveitis (n = 58) and herpes zoster virus (HZV) keratouveitis (n = 18). The groups were evaluated for the incidence and prognosis of ocular hypertension. Etiologic agents were determined with the help of clinical observation supported by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of aqueous humor. All patients received oral acyclovir therapy for at least six months and topical prednisolone in tapered doses. There was no significant difference in the recurrences of HSV and varicella zoster virus (VZV) keratouveitis between groups (P = 0.431). The total incidence of secondary glaucoma was 13.1%. Most of the patients responded to antiviral and antiglaucomatous therapy. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C was performed in only two patients. Secondary glaucoma can be regarded as a frequent complication of viral uveitis. As it has a good prognosis, surgical intervention is rarely required.