Abstract
BackgroundThe primary aim was to estimate the incidence of primary and secondary childhood glaucoma in Scotland over a 2-year period. The secondary aim was to gauge the confidence and experience of ophthalmologists in Scotland in managing these patients.MethodsA 7 question electronic survey was distributed to all consultant members of the Scottish Paediatric Club and Scottish Glaucoma Club. Respondents were asked to report the number of cases and types of childhood glaucoma they had managed in the last 2 years. Respondents were also asked about experience and confidence in a range of glaucoma procedures, number of patients requiring referral to specialist centres and interest in the development of a centre of excellence in Scotland.ResultsThe survey returned a 56% response rate, reporting 85 new cases of paediatric glaucoma in Scotland over the preceding 2 years. 11 (12.9%) had primary glaucoma and 74 (87.1%) had secondary glaucoma. The most common subtype of secondary glaucoma was uveitic glaucoma (n = 29). None of the respondents declared confidence or experience in trabeculotomy or goniotomy procedures. Eleven children required referral to a specialist unit outside Scotland. 85.7% of respondents felt Scotland would benefit from a specialist unit for paediatric glaucoma.ConclusionsThis survey reflects an appetite for a specialist service for paediatric glaucoma in Scotland. However, further consideration is needed to determine if there is sufficient patient load to maintain such a service.
Highlights
The primary aim was to estimate the incidence of primary and secondary childhood glaucoma in Scotland over a 2-year period
The Childhood Glaucoma Research Network (CGRN) recently proposed a novel classification system for childhood glaucoma which was agreed at the 9th World Glaucoma Association Consensus meeting
Questions included; what is your sub-speciality? How many children have you personally diagnosed with various types of childhood glaucoma in the last 2 years? Options included primary congenital glaucoma, juvenile glaucoma, glaucoma following cataract surgery, glaucoma associated with acquired conditions e.g. uveitic glaucoma, glaucoma associated with nonacquired systemic disease or syndromes, e.g. phacomatoses, and glaucoma associated with non-acquired ocular anomalies e.g. aniridic glaucoma, anterior segment dysgenesis
Summary
The primary aim was to estimate the incidence of primary and secondary childhood glaucoma in Scotland over a 2-year period. The secondary aim was to gauge the confidence and experience of ophthalmologists in Scotland in managing these patients. Childhood glaucoma is a rare and potentially blinding condition responsible for 5% of childhood blindness worldwide [1, 2]. It is estimated to account for 1.2% of blindness in children in the United Kingdom but up to 7% of childhood blindness in Southern India, the region with the highest reported rate [3]. The Childhood Glaucoma Research Network (CGRN) recently proposed a novel classification system for childhood glaucoma which was agreed at the 9th World Glaucoma Association Consensus meeting In: Weinreb, RN, et al, editors World Glaucoma Association Consensus Series 9: Childhood Glaucoma.
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