Combined Trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy Research Articles

Management of primary childhood glaucoma: Evaluation of practice, practice gaps, and needs in a low-resource country

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the current practice, equipment availability, and training needs for managing childhood glaucoma in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire (Google Forms) was distributed through E-mails and social media platforms of pediatric ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists who practice in Nigeria and manage glaucoma in children aged 0–16 years. Information concerning sociodemographic characteristics, type of practice, location of practice, years of practice, status, and preferred practices in the management of childhood glaucoma cataracts were obtained and analyzed with SPSS. Results: Thirty (23.3%) out of 129 eligible participants indicated they perform glaucoma surgeries in children. The majority (66.6%) had practiced as specialists for 10 years or less, and 70% were pediatric ophthalmologists. A third of the respondents practiced in the country’s southwest region, with none in the Northeast region. The most common surgery performed for primary congenital glaucoma was combined trabeculotomy trabeculectomy, while trabeculectomy was the most common surgery performed for juvenile open-angle glaucoma. Two respondents reported performing glaucoma drainage device surgery and seven reported possessions of skills for goniotomy. All centers had trabeculectomy instrument sets, while three centers had facilities for endolaser cyclophotocoagulation, and only two centers had knives for goniotomy. Antimetabolites were routinely used for childhood glaucoma surgeries by 26 (86.7%) respondents, and the most common antimetabolite used was mitomycin (21; 80.8%). Conclusion: There is a need for the development of in-country training programs and the exchange of skills through collaboration among those providing glaucoma services within Nigeria to improve the care of children with glaucoma.

Glaucoma associated with congenital iris cyst

Four eyes of four children (mean age 5.5 ± 2.6 months) were operated upon for glaucoma associated with iris cyst (cysts excised 6 weeks earlier). All eyes were subjected to a combined trabeculotomy–trabeculectomy with mitomycin C once, which lowered the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) from 28.8 ± 6.5 to 14.8 ± 12.8 mmHg (mean follow-up of 15.1 ± 9.1 months). Complications included two eyes developing cataract and one eye developing a staphyloma. The eye that developed staphyloma suffered a persistently elevated IOP, was prescribed topical IOP-lowering therapy, and was classified as a failure.

Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy versus combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy in primary congenital glaucoma.

The primary mode of therapy in children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and mild or no corneal edema is goniotomy, which has a high success rate. However, in developing countries, the diagnosis of PCG is usually delayed, and corneal cloudiness interferes with goniotomy. Therefore, trabeculotomy may be the best choice in such eyes. We compared the short-term efficacy and safety of primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (primary CTT) with that of non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) in managing PCG. This prospective, randomized, comparative study included patients with PCG referred to Al-Azhar University Hospitals within a 1-year period. Eyes were randomly allocated to one of two groups: eyes in NPDS group underwent NPDS, and those in primary CTT group underwent primary CTT. Baseline and frequent postoperative assessments of intraocular pressure (IOP), cup-to-disc ratio (C/D ratio), corneal diameter, and axial length were performed for up to 6 months. The success rates were recorded in both groups. Forty eyes of 26 patients were included, with 20 eyes allocated to each group. The mean (standard deviation) age of all patients was 12.9 (9.5) months, with comparable ages and sex ratios between groups (both P > 0.05). Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in IOP and C/D ratio at each postoperative visit compared to the baseline visit (all P < 0.001), with no significant difference detected between the groups (all P > 0.05), except for a significantly lower IOP in NPDS group at 1 month (P < 0.05). The corneal diameter and axial length were comparable between groups at baseline and remained unchanged at all postoperative visits (all P > 0.05). The groups had comparable success rates (P > 0.05). No serious complications were detected. CTT and NPDS both yielded reasonable IOP control and reversal of cupping in eyes with PCG. We observed equal effectiveness of the surgical procedures without major safety concerns. Further large-scale clinical trials with longer follow-up periods are needed to verify our preliminary findings.

Long-term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Primary Congenital Glaucoma between 1991 and 2000: A Single-Center Database Study

To estimate the long-term surgical and visual outcomes in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) who completed at least 20 years of follow-up. Retrospective study. Two hundred twenty eyes of 121 patients undergoing surgery for PCG between January 1991 and December 2000 and who returned for a follow-up visit from January 2021 through January2022. Retrospective review of medical records of patients who underwent primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) without mitomycin C as an initial procedure. Success was defined as complete when intraocular pressure (IOP) was ≥ 6 mmHg and ≤ 21 mmHg without glaucoma medication and as qualified when up to 2 glaucoma medications were required. Failure was defined as uncontrolled IOP with more than 2 glaucoma medications, need for a second IOP-lowering procedure, chronic hypotony (IOP < 6 mmHg on 2 consecutive visits), or any sight-threatening complication. A mixed-effects model using maximum likelihood estimation was used in estimation of eye-based variables and to make comparisons between different visits. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the probabilities of surgical and functional successes. Cox proportional hazards regression using sandwich clustered estimation was used to evaluate risk factors for failure and poor visual outcome. Primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients who demonstrated complete success over the 20-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures included rate of surgical failure and need for reoperation for glaucoma, visual acuity, refractive errors, risk factors for poor outcome, and complications. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed 1-year, 10-year, and 20-year complete success rates of 90.7%, 78.9%, and 44.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, surgical failure was higher among patients with any additional non-glaucoma intraocular surgery. None of the clinical parameters were associated significantly with failure in multivariable analysis. Overall, the proportion of eyes with good, fair, and poor visual outcomes was 33.2%, 16.4%, and 50.4%, respectively. Myopia was seen in 68.9% eyes. Twenty-eight eyes of those who underwent primary CTT (14.4%) required second surgery for IOP control. No significant intraoperative complications occurred. Six eyes required enucleation because of painful blind eye. In this large cohort of patients with PCG, CTT is a useful procedure. It provides good IOP control and moderate visual recovery that remained over a 20-year follow-up after surgery. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Long-term Results of Combined Trabeculotomy-Trabeculectomy in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

Primary congenital glaucoma in Tunisian children seems to be characterized by a high prevalence of inherited and advanced form of the disease. Primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy allowed satisfactory long-term IOP control and reasonable visual outcome. To report the long-term outcome of combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) as the initial glaucoma surgery in children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Retrospective analysis of children who underwent primary CTT for PCG between January 2010 and December 2019. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, corneal clarity, complications, refractive errors and visual acuity (VA). Success was defined as IOP <16mmHg without (complete) or with (qualified) antiglaucoma medication. The WHO criteria of vision loss were used to categorize vision impairment (VI). 98 eyes of 62 patients were enrolled. At last follow-up, mean IOP was reduced from 22.7±4.0mmHg to 9.7±3.9mmHg (P<0.0001). Complete success rate was 91.6%, 88.4%, 84.7%, 71.6%, 59.7%, and 54.3%, at the first, second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth year, respectively. Follow-up averaged 42.1±28.4 months. Preoperatively, 72 eyes (73.5%) had significant corneal edema versus 11 eyes (11.2%) at the end of the follow-up (P<0.0001). Endophthalmitis was encountered in one eye. Myopia was the most common refractive error (80.6%). Data on Snellen VA were available for 53.2% of the patients; 33.3% achieved a VA ≥ 6/12, 21.2% had mild VI, 9.1% had moderate VI, 21.2% had severe VI, and 15.2% were blind. The failure rate was statistically correlated to the early disease onset (<3mo) and to preoperative corneal edema (P=0.022 and P=0.037, respectively). Primary CTT seems to be a good procedure in a population with advanced PCG at presentation, problematic follow-up visits, and limited resources.

Approach to primary congenital glaucoma: A perspective.

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) occurs worldwide and has a broad range of ocular manifestations. It poses a therapeutic challenge to the ophthalmologist. A proper diagnostic evaluation under anesthesia is advisable for all children who do not cooperate for an office examination. Medical therapy only serves as a supportive role, and surgical intervention remains the principal therapeutic modality. Angle incision surgery such as goniotomy or trabeculotomy ab externo is the preferred choice of surgery in the Caucasian population. Primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with or without antifibrotic therapy is the preferred choice in certain regions such as India and the Middle East where the disease usually presents with severe forms of corneal edema along with megalocornea. In refractory cases, trabeculectomy with antifibrotic therapy or glaucoma drainage devices are available options in the armamentarium. Cycloablative procedures should be reserved for eyes with poor visual potential. Myopia is common among children with PCG, and appropriate optical refractive correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses should be provided. Amblyopia therapy should be instituted to ensure overall visual development in the early developmental years. Low-vision rehabilitation services should be provided to children with vision impairment. Long-term follow-up is mandatory and carers of children with PCG should be counseled and educated about this need. Regardless of the visual outcomes, clinicians should emphasize the need for education of these children during the clinic visit. The overall goal of the management should be to improve the overall quality of life of the children with PCG and their carers.

Evaluation of a Protocol for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Congenital Glaucoma in Tanta University Eye Hospital

Background: Primary congenital glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma in infancy. It manifests within the first few years of life and is not associated with any other systemic or ocular abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate a protocol for diagnosis and treatment of primary congenital glaucoma at Tanta University Eye Hospital.&#x0D; Methods: The study was prospective interventional on 60 eyes of 36 infants and children who presented between December 2018 to March 2021 at Tanta University Eye Hospital in Egypt. All patients were presented with primary congenital glaucoma and were managed according to specific diagnostic, therapeutic and follow up regimen. Pre- and Post-operative clinical data were recorded, and results were studied.&#x0D; Results: The mean of age±SD (range) at first presentation was 11.33±21.76 (0.5-120) months and of follow-up period was 7.85±2.71 (4-13) months. The mean of pre-operative IOP, corneal diameter, C/D ratio and AxL was 24.1±5.9 (12–41.5) mmHg, 12.97±0.69 (11–14.5) mm, 0.57±0.18 (0.2–0.9) and 21.87±1.28 (19.1–26.8) mm respectively, and post-operatively was 14.4±3.09 (8.5–20.5) mmHg, 12.71±0.89 (11–14.5) mm, 0.48±0.22 (0.2–1) and 22.16±1.53 (19–25.9) mm respectively. Surgical interventions included 1ry surgeries (trabeculotomy in 21 eyes and CTT with MMC in 39 eyes), 2ry surgeries (CTT with MMC in four eyes) and 3ry surgery (Ahmed valve implantation in one eye). Complete success was achieved in 38 eyes (63.3%) and qualified success in 22 eyes (36.7%).&#x0D; Conclusions: The current protocol applied at Tanta University Eye Hospital for diagnosis and treatment of primary congenital glaucoma proved efficacy and safety. Primary surgical intervention in the form of trabeculotomy (for mild cases) and combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with MMC (for moderate to advanced cases) is a successful regimen for management of these eyes.

Glaucoma management in congenital ectropion uveae: Surgical outcomes from a large tertiary referral center in South India.

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of glaucoma management in patients with congenital ectropion uveae (CEU) over a period of three decades at a single large referral tertiary eye care center. Retrospective chart review of all patients with CEU treated surgically from 1990 to 2019 was performed. Primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT), trabeculectomy with and without mitomycin-C (MMC) (0.2 mg/mL for 1 min) and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) were performed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥6 and ≤16 mmHg without medications was considered as complete success and IOP≤ 16 mmHg with the use of upto 2 medications as qualified success. A total of 26 eyes of 21 patients were identified with a median age of 7 years (range, 6 days to 19 years) at the time of glaucoma surgery. Median follow-up was 51.1 months (range, 7-244.6 months). Primary CTT was performed in 17 eyes (65%), trabeculectomy in 5 eyes (19%) with application of MMC in 2 eyes, and 3 eyes (12%) underwent TSCPC. One painful blind eye (4%) underwent evisceration. Mean IOP reduced from 30.8 ± 7.6 mmHg on a mean of 1.3 ± 0.8 glaucoma medications preoperatively to a mean IOP of 15.2 ± 5.9 mmHg (P < 0.0001) on a mean of 0.2 ± 0.5 medications postoperatively at final follow-up (P = 0.0009). Complete success was achieved in 20 eyes, and qualified success in 2 eyes. CTT is a safe and efficacious primary procedure for management of early-onset glaucoma in CEU. Trabeculectomy with or without adjuvant MMC is a viable second line of treatment in late-onset glaucoma with CEU for IOP control.

Trabeculotomy Versus Combined Trabeculotomy-Trabeculectomy for Management of Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

Trabeculotomy (T) alone is as safe and effective as combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (TT) in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and requires significantly fewer examinations under anesthesia in the postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of T and combined TT as the initial surgical procedure for patients with PCG. In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who had undergone T or TT as the initial procedure for PCG were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was a surgical success, defined as 5≤ intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg, IOP reduction of at least 20% with no need for further glaucoma surgery. Secondary outcome measures were the number of glaucoma medications and complications. A total of 134 eyes from 134 patients with a mean follow-up of 8±6.6 years were included consisting of 106 and 28 eyes, which had undergone T and TT, respectively. Success rates were comparable with both surgical procedures at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years with no statistically significant difference. IOP was significantly decreased from 27.5±4.2 mm Hg preoperatively to 15.62±3.4 mm Hg at the 5-year follow-up visit in the T group and from 25.3±6.5 to 17.1±3.2 mm Hg in the TT group (P=0.1) there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the number of glaucoma medications (P=0.2). Patients in the T group required significantly fewer examinations under anesthesia than the TT group (7.3±4.4 vs. 10.1±3.9, P=0.04). Trabeculotomy alone seems as effective as combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy and may significantly reduce exposure to anesthesia in primary congenital glaucoma patients.

Factors Affecting Final Surgical Outcome of Combined Trabeculotomy-Trabeculectomy in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

PurposeTo evaluate different pre-operative variables on the success of combined trabeculotomy–trabeculectomy (CTT) surgery in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) to predict those at higher risk for surgical failure and for proper parent counseling.Patients and MethodsSixty-three eyes of patients with PCG were treated either with CTT without augmentation, or CTT augmented with mitomycin-C (0.2 mg/mL) in both subconjunctival space and under scleral flap for 3 minutes, or with CTT augmented with a collagen implant under both the scleral flap and the conjunctiva. Cases showed surgical failure was reported and evaluated in relation to different pre-operative variables.ResultsComplete success (IOP ≤21 mmHg) was achieved in 52 cases (82.5%). Cumulative success probability was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, proving that higher pre-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) was associated with higher failure rates (28.6% for pre-operative IOP ≥30 mmHg versus 4.8% for IOP <30 mmHg), with P value = 0.007.ConclusionCTT is an effective surgical intervention in PCG patients without sight threatening complications. Univariate survival analysis showed higher rates of surgical failure in patients with higher pre-operative IOP, while other pre-operative variables were irrelevant.

Bilateral Congenital Glaucoma – A Rare Case Report

Background: Glaucoma in childhood is a potentially blinding condition, yet, there is a lack of epidemiologic and clinical data regarding this pathology. Unlike glaucoma in adults, which is notoriously difficult to detect since there are no symptoms, glaucoma in children does present with signs and symptoms which can be detected by paediatricians and even parents, who are usually the first contacts of these children. Methodology: A detailed evaluation under general or local anaesthesia is advisable to establish the diagnosis and plan for management. Medical therapy has a limited role and surgery remains the primary therapeutic modality. While goniotomy or trabeculotomy ab externo is valuable in the management of congenital glaucoma, primary combined trabeculotomy–trabeculectomy offers the best hope of success in advanced cases. Result: The childhood glaucoma research network (CGRN) has provided a new classification system of paediatric glaucoma’s. Careful diagnosis and timely intervention leads to the most promising outcome and gives these children a long morbidity free life. Early diagnosis, prompt therapeutic intervention and proper refractive correction are keys to success. Conclusion: Management of residual vision and visual rehabilitation should be an integral part of the management of children with low vision and lifelong follow-up is a must.

Combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy for primary congenital glaucoma: long-term experience from a tertiary referral centre in a developing nation.

To evaluate the long-term visual and surgical outcomes, and associated risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Retrospective review of medical records of children who underwent combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) without mitomycin-C as the first surgical procedure by a single surgeon between January 1990 and December 2010. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <16 mmHg without (complete) or with (qualified) one glaucoma medication. We used the WHO criteria of vision loss to categorize the levels of vision impairment (VI). For purposes of statistical analysis, we randomly chose one eye of patients for bilateral PCG and affected eye in unilateral PCG. The cohort included 653 consecutive PCG patients (1128 eyes; mean age, 26 months), of whom 475 (73%) underwent simultaneous bilateral CTT. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 19-year complete success rates of 92.6% (n = 372), 75.5% (n = 173), 55.9% (n = 72), 44.7% (n = 19), and 21.6% (n = 3), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed independent associations between failure, preoperative corneal clarity, and prior glaucoma surgery. Mean follow-up was 41 ± 51 months (range, 6 months to 19 years; median, 1 year). Of the visual acuity (VA) data in the affected eyes obtained at last follow-up (n = 333, 51%), seventy-four patients (22%) had VA of ≥6/12. Of the remaining 259 patients, 18 (7%) had mild VI, 87 (34%) had moderate VI, 58 (22%) had severe VI, and 96 (37%) were blind. No serious complications were noted. Primary CTT may be safely employed to control IOP and may provide long-term benefits in PCG patients.

Outcomes of Management of Glaucoma in Phacomatosis Pigmentovascularis Over the Last Three Decades: A Single-Center Experience

To report the clinical outcomes of glaucoma management in patients with phacomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) treated over a period of 3 decades. Retrospective cohort study. Fifty-five eyes of 38 patients (21 unilateral and 17 bilateral) with glaucoma in PPV managed at one institution between January 1990 and December 2019 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Medical records of children with glaucoma in PPV were reviewed, and demographic and clinical data were collected. Surgical interventions included primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT), trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC), and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC). Complete success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 6 and ≤ 16 mmHg without medications and qualified success as IOP≤ 16 mmHg with the use of up to 2 medications. Intraocular pressure, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal clarity, antiglaucoma medications at preoperative and postoperative visits (last visit), and complications. Median age was 4 months (range, 0.2-252 months) at the time of glaucoma surgery. Thirty-nine eyes (74%) had primary CTT, 10 eyes (19%) had trabeculectomy with MMC, and 4 eyes (7%) with advanced glaucoma had TSCPC. Two eyes (3.6%) received medical treatment. Preoperative IOP reduced from a mean of 25.7 ± 8.4 mmHg on 0.8 ± 0.6 medications to 14.6 ± 5.2 mmHg on 0.4 ± 0.5 medications (P < 0.0001) at last follow-up after surgery (77.7 ± 56.5 months). Thirty-seven eyes (67.3%) required medications preoperatively, and 22 eyes (40%) required medications at the last follow-up. Of 25 patients with available BCVA at last follow-up, 9 (36%) had ≥ 20/60; of these, 6 had > 20/40. Four of 10 eyes that underwent trabeculectomy with MMC developed retinal detachment and were managed surgically; however, all of these eyes had poor visual outcomes. There was no incidence of bleb leakage, bleb-related infection, or endophthalmitis. Combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy is safe and effective as a primary procedure for management of glaucoma in PPV. Trabeculectomy augmented with MMC as a second procedure was associated with a higher rate of complications.

Common and rare complications following filtering surgery for children with congenital glaucoma; a5 years study.

To determine the incidence of postoperative complications following combined trabeculotomy trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (CTTM) for congenital glaucoma (CG), in addition to documentation of some unusual complications and possible ways to manage these complications safely with minimal morbidity. A retrospective observational study was performed on 190 eyes with CG had a CTTM procedure.Included eyes were operated upon between February 2015 and February 2020 in Sohag University Hospitals. Medical records were reviewed and postoperative complications were reported. Incidence of postoperative complications and their management were the main outcome measures. Early complications developed the form of shallow anterior chamber (AC) (16.3%), hyphema (10.5%), serous choroidal detachment (2%), hemorrhagic choroidal detachment (2%). Unusual and rare complications occurred in the form of iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, unilateral toxic keratopathy developed, vitreous hemorrhage (VH), intercalary staphyloma and decompression retinopathyLate complications included: high postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) (16.5%), thin cystic blebs (13.1%), hypotony disc edema (2%), cataract (3.2%), one eye developed blebitis and one eye developed endophthalmitis. Surgical management of CG is full of complications in early and late postoperative periods such as shallow AC, hyphema and thin cystic blebs. Some unusual and rare complications developed such as iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, unilateral toxic keratopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, intercalary staphyloma and decompression retinopathy. If identified early; all these complications could be managed properly leading to a successful and favorable outcome.

Combined Trabeculotomy-Trabeculectomy Versus Trabeculectomy for Treatment of Silicone Oil-induced Ocular Hypertension.

Combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) has a significantly better hypotensive effect than trabeculectomy and a higher success rate in cases of silicone oil-induced ocular hypertension. To compare the ocular hypotensive effect of CTT with mitomycin-C (MMC) to that of trabeculectomy with MMC in cases of silicone oil-induced ocular hypertension. Thirty eyes of 30 patients with high intraocular pressure (IOP) after vitrectomy and silicone oil injection (followed by silicone oil removal) were randomly allocated to 2 groups in this randomized trial. Group A was composed of 15 cases who underwent combined CTT with MMC while group B cases contained 15 cases undergoing trabeculectomy with MMC. Patients were followed up for 12 months. We included patients above 18 years old, having performed vitrectomy and silicone oil injection followed by oil removal, and having IOP >21 mm Hg uncontrollable by antiglaucoma medications. The postoperative IOP drop was significantly greater in group A than in group B at all follow up visits (P<0.05). Compared with preoperative IOP, both surgeries produced a significantly lower postoperative IOP at all follow-up visits (P<0.05). For group A, complete success rates (IOP≤21 mm Hg without ocular hypotensive medications) and qualified success rates (IOP≤21 mm Hg with or without ocular hypotensive medications) were both higher than for group B. Both surgeries effectively reduce IOP in cases of silicone oil-induced ocular hypertension, but CTT has a significantly better hypotensive effect and a higher success rate on the long-term.

Trabeculotomy versus combined trabeculotomy–trabeculectomy for primary congenital glaucoma: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionTrabeculotomy and combined trabeculotomy–trabeculectomy (CTT) are major surgical options for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). However, it is unclear which of these two surgical procedures should be recommended as the optimum...

International Study of Childhood Glaucoma

To ascertain the types of childhood glaucoma managed at major international centers, current clinical practice, and intraocular pressure (IOP) control and visual acuity (VA) outcomes. Prospective, multicenter, consecutive case series. All children with newly diagnosed glaucoma in at least 1 eye who fulfilled the Childhood Glaucoma Research Network (CGRN) definition of childhood glaucoma were recruited over a 1-year period with the aim of 18 months follow up. Demographic, clinical, management data (including complications), and outcomes (IOP and VA) were entered in a secure online database. All cases included in the outcome analysis had a minimum of 6 months follow-up. The management of childhood glaucoma, IOP control, and VA outcomes. A total of 441 children (691 eyes) with newly diagnosed glaucoma were enrolled from 17 international centers. Approximately 60% of patients came from 2 centers in India; however, 47.5% of Indian patients had no or less than 6 months of follow-up outcome data from diagnosis. Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) was the most common diagnosis (45.4%, n= 314 eyes). There was a statistically significant association between diagnosis and ethnicity/race (P < 0.001), with PCG more frequent in nonwhite patients, glaucoma associated with acquired conditions more frequent in South Asian patients, and glaucoma after cataract surgery more frequent in white patients. The initial surgical procedure of choice for eyes with PCG significantly differed by country. Angle surgery alone was first line in centers in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Israel (Group 1), whereas combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy was the first-line procedure for PCG in centers in India and Ghana (Group 2). There was no significant difference in IOP control nor VA between the 2 groups. The most common diagnoses in this international study of children with newly diagnosed glaucoma in order of frequency were PCG, glaucoma after congenital idiopathic cataract surgery, and glaucoma associated with trauma. Indian children had a disproportionately high loss to follow-up rate. Despite international differences in the surgical approach to PCG, there was no statistically significant difference in IOP or VA outcomes. We hope the results of this study will inform key areas of future international, collaborative clinical research in childhood glaucoma.

Short-term incidence and management of glaucoma after successful surgery for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to describe the short-term incidence, clinical features, and management of glaucoma in children after successful surgery for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:The retrospective study included all eyes undergoing successful surgery for stage 4 ROP with good outcomes at a tertiary eye care center between June 2014 and June 2016. Cases developing postoperative glaucoma underwent examination under anesthesia for measurement of intraocular pressures (IOP), corneal diameters, Retcam-assisted fundus imaging, and gonioscopy. Outcomes of glaucoma management were evaluated.Results:Hundred eyes of 70 babies underwent successful surgery for stage 4 ROP (with postoperative attached retina, and minimal sequelae) with minimum follow-up of 15 months. Six eyes (6%) developed postoperative glaucoma. Of these, four eyes had undergone lens-sparing vitrectomy and two were managed with lensectomy and vitrectomy (LV). Median time duration for development of glaucoma after primary vitreous surgery was 17.5 weeks. Two cases could be managed with topical IOP-lowering agents alone, whereas four required filtering surgeries (trabeculotomy with trabeculectomy and 0.04% mitomycin C [MMC] application). Average IOP decreased from 25 ± 2.36 to 12.2 ± 2.05 mmHg at 12 months from glaucoma diagnosis.Conclusion:Glaucoma is a potential adverse event following successful vitreous surgery for stage 4 ROP. A combined trabeculotomy–trabeculectomy along with MMC gives favorable outcome.

Combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy using the modified Safer Surgery System augmented with MMC: its long-term outcomes of glaucoma treatment in Asian children.

This study aimed to study the long-term surgical outcomes of combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) using the modified Safer Surgery System in treating childhood glaucoma at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. Retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative case series. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 42 pediatric patients (age 0-18years) who had CTT performed on their 65 eyes using the modified Safer Surgery System. The study period spanned 18years (from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2014). We evaluated the outcome in terms of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length growth, disc cupping reversal, and use of antiglaucoma medications. The surgical success was rated using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and based on the incidence of complications. The mean follow-up period was 85.05 ± 32.17months (range 14-200). After operation, IOP dropped significantly from 35.76 ± 9.44mmHg (mean ± SD) to 16.18 ± 7.20mmHg together with a significant reversal of optic disc cupping. Similarly, the use of antiglaucoma medications was also significantly reduced in number from 1.26 ± 0.50 to 0.43 ± 0.70. Most of the axial lengths of the eyes measured at the last follow-up visit showed growths within the average ± 2 SDs in comparison with the healthy, age-matched population. After surgery, the qualified success rate was 90.77% at the end of the first year, 90.77% at the second year, 87.64% at the fifth year, 84.51% at the 10th year, and 81.38% at the 15th year. No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were found. For Taiwanese children, the combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy using the modified Safer Surgery System offered an efficient and safe surgical option for treating glaucoma with long-term satisfactory control of IOP.

Long-term outcome of combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy by a single surgeon in patients with primary congenital glaucoma.

PurposeAssess long-term outcome of combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).MethodsData of PCG patients treated with CTT by a single surgeon between 1976 and 1993 were reviewed for reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuities, surgical success rates, and need for repeat surgeries at last follow-up (FU). At the last FU, IOP<21 mm Hg without any topical antiglaucoma medication (TAM) was complete success and with 1-2 TAMs was qualified success. IOP reduction ≥30% without any TAM was modified complete success and with 1-2 TAMs was modified qualified success. IOP>21 mm Hg, IOP reduction <30%, or use of >2 TAM at last FU, or need for additional surgery was considered as failure.ResultsTwo hundred thirty eyes of 121 patients had been followed up for 21.5-38 years (mean 28.87±2.77 years). Eyes that were pthisical (3), had immeasurable IOP (2), or IOP<6 mm Hg (3) were excluded from the success analysis. At last FU, mean IOP reduction was 22.71±11.28 mm Hg and TAM score was 1.71 (0-4). Complete success was achieved in 14 (6.3%), modified complete success in 14 (6.3%), qualified success in 148 (66.7%), and modified qualified success in 140 (63.1%). Success probability was 95% till 25 years and 92, 90, 85, 79 and 68% at 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 years, respectively. Severe visual impairment or functional blindness was found in only 13 (10.7%) patients.ConclusionCTT shows long-term success in PCG patients. All patients must be monitored for IOP control to avoid need for repeat surgeries.