Strabismus surgery in the setting of glaucoma drainage devices in the pediatric population

Concurrent adjacent strabismus surgery with glaucoma drainage device placement in childhood glaucomas

BACKGROUND

Determine outcomes of concurrent strabismus surgery with placement of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) in children.

METHODS

Retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent simultaneous lateral rectus (LR) muscle surgery with superotemporal GDD placement. Strabismus and GDD success were defined as residual horizontal misalignment < 10 prism diopter (PD) and intraocular pressure (IOP) < 21 mmHg, no visually devastating complications, and no additional IOP-lowering surgeries.

RESULTS

Fifteen eyes of 13 patients (69% male) underwent LR surgery (14 recessions, 1 resection) for exotropia or esotropia simultaneous with GDD placement (13 Baerveldt, 2 Ahmed) at 8.34 ± 5.26 years. Preoperative visual acuity (VA) in operative eye (0.89 ± 0.54) was worse than non-operative eye (0.23 ± 0.44, p = 0.0032). Preoperative horizontal deviation was 38.3 ± 9.4 PD and LR recession was 7.4 ± 1.1 mm. At final follow-up, VA in operative eye (0.87 ± 0.52) was unchanged from preoperative (p = 0.4062). Final IOP was significantly decreased (12.4 ± 4.7 mmHg vs. 31.1 ± 11.4 mmHg, p = 0.0001) as was number of glaucoma medications (2.7 ± 1.7 vs. 1.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.0037). Five (38%) and 9 patients (69%) met criteria for strabismus and GDD success, respectively. Two eyes required tube revision and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and 2 eyes had additional strabismus surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent strabismus and GDD surgery decreased horizontal deviation and obtained IOP control. It is important to consider correction of strabismus at time of GDD placement to maximize visual development and improve cosmesis in children with glaucoma.

Controversies in Pediatric Angle Surgery and Secondary Surgical Treatment

Pediatric glaucoma is a constellation of challenging ophthalmic conditions that, left untreated, can result in irreversible vision loss. The mainstay of treatment for primary congenital glaucoma and select secondary glaucoma subtypes is angle surgery, either trabeculotomy or goniotomy. More recently, MIGS devices have been utilized to enhance the efficacy of these procedures. Despite the high success rates of these primary surgical options, refractory cases are challenging to manage. There is no consensus on the next step of treatment following primary angle surgery. Glaucoma drainage devices and trabeculectomies have been the traditional options, with laser treatment reserved for more severe cases. The benefits and disadvantages of each of these options are discussed.

Management of strabismus related to infantile glaucoma: Case series

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the different modalities of treatment of the strabismus related to infantile glaucoma, its complications, and results.

METHODS

The clinical history of 7 patients with infantile glaucoma which required strabismus surgical treatment were analyzed. Age at onset of glaucoma, type of glaucoma, glaucoma surgeries, type of strabismus, strabismus surgical treatment and postoperative results were studied.

RESULTS

Four patients required strabismus surgery, two were treated with botulinum toxin and one required both. Primary congenital glaucoma was the most common (71,42%), 14,28% had an anterior segment dysgenesis and 14,28% had secondary glaucoma. Regarding strabismus, 4 patients had exotropia and 3 had esotropia. The main difficulty involved the management of the conjunctiva and the filtering blebs.

CONCLUSION

Strabismus is a frequent complication in infantile glaucoma. The management of these patients should be individualized. In our case series, treatment of strabismus improved eye alignment. Surgery should be the mainstay of treatment while preserving the conjunctiva and interfere the less with glaucoma surgeries. Botulinum toxin is a reasonable option when conservative treatment is needed.

Management of strabismus related to infantile glaucoma: Case series

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the different modalities of treatment of the strabismus related to infantile glaucoma, its complications, and results.

METHODS

The clinical history of 7 patients with infantile glaucoma which required strabismus surgical treatment were analyzed. Age at onset of glaucoma, type of glaucoma, glaucoma surgeries, type of strabismus, strabismus surgical treatment and postoperative results were studied.

RESULTS

Four patients required strabismus surgery, two were treated with botulinum toxin and one required both. Primary congenital glaucoma was the most common (71,42%), 14,28% had an anterior segment dysgenesis and 14,28% had secondary glaucoma. Regarding strabismus, 4 patients had exotropia and 3 had esotropia. The main difficulty involved the management of the conjunctiva and the filtering blebs.

CONCLUSION

Strabismus is a frequent complication in infantile glaucoma. The management of these patients should be individualized. In our case series, treatment of strabismus improved eye alignment. Surgery should be the mainstay of treatment while preserving the conjunctiva and interfere the less with glaucoma surgeries. Botulinum toxin is a reasonable option when conservative treatment is needed.