Prevalence of glaucoma after surgery for PHPV and infantile cataracts

Secondary Glaucoma after Cataract Surgery performed in Infancy in Congenital Rubella Syndrome -A Case Control Study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery performed in infancy in children with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and children with non-rubella cataracts and to identify associated risk factors.

DESIGN

Retrospective case control study.

PARTICIPANTS

Children with CRS who had undergone cataract surgery in infancy and age matched infants who had undergone cataract surgery for infantile cataracts were included.

METHODS

Incidence of glaucoma and probability of survival was compared among the two groups. Risk factors for the development of glaucoma were assessed. The minimum follow up was 1 year after cataract surgery.

RESULTS

The study included 211 eyes of 115 children. The CRS group (cases) had 101 eyes (58 children) and the non-rubella cataract group (controls) included 110 eyes (57 children). There was no significant difference in the mean age at surgery among the two groups (p=0.96). Cumulative incidence of secondary childhood glaucoma for the entire study period of 14 years was 32.7% in the CRS group and 24.5% in the control group (p=0.19). Mean follow-up was 5.8 ± 3.7years for CRS group and 6.4± 3.4years for the non-rubella group. A significant difference in the cumulative probability of glaucoma free survival at 10 years after cataract surgery (cases 0.53 versus controls 0.8; log rank p-0.034) was present. Both groups had no significant difference in the time of onset of secondary glaucoma, average number of intraocular pressure lowering medications and number of eyes with surgical intervention for glaucoma (p>0.05). Microcornea was associated with the development of glaucoma (hazard ratio 2.83, 95% confidence interval 1.44-5.57; p=0.002) in CRS eyes.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the incidence of secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery performed in infants with CRS compared to infants who had undergone surgery for infantile cataracts. Since the ten year probability of glaucoma free survival was significantly less in children with CRS, a closer and longer follow up is recommended especially in eyes with at-risk features.

Influence of different primary surgical techniques on long-term intraocular pressure and medication in glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To assess long-time results of primary surgical treatment in children with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 37 eyes from 35 children with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery, who underwent surgery between 2011 and 2021 at the Childhood Glaucoma Center, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany. Only children, who received a primary glaucoma surgery in our clinic within the given time (n = 25) and had at least one-year follow-up (n = 21), were included in the further analysis. The mean follow-up time was 40.4±35.1 months. The primary outcome was the mean reduction in IOP (in mmHg) from baseline to follow-up visits after the surgery, measured with Perkins tonometry.

RESULTS

8 patients (38%) were treated with probe trabeculotomy (probe TO), 6 (29%) with 360° catheter-assisted trabeculotomy (360° TO) and 7 (33%) with cyclodestructive procedures. IOP was significantly reduced after probe TO and 360° TO after 2 years, from 26.9 mmHg to 17.4 mmHg (p<0.01) and 25.2 mmHg to 14.1 mmHg (p<0.02), respectively. There was no significant IOP reduction after cyclodestructive procedures after 2 years. Both, probe TO and 360° TO led descriptively to eye drops reduction after 2 years, from 2.0 to 0.7 and 3.2 to 1.1. The reduction was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery, both trabeculotomy techniques, lead to good reduction of IOP after 2 years. There is a need for a prospective study with comparison to the use of glaucoma drainage implants.

Glaucoma and risk factors three years after congenital cataract surgery

Background

This study aimed to identify the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events at various time points after congenital cataract surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 259 eyes from 174 patients (surgical age ≤ 7 years) who underwent congenital cataract surgery. All surgical procedures were conducted at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between May 2011 and March 2019. Patients were classified into group 1 [primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, N = 111 eyes], group 2 (secondary IOL implantation, N = 85 eyes), and group 3 (no IOL implantation, N = 63 eyes). We recorded demographic factors and incidence and risk factors for glaucoma-related adverse events.

Results

Glaucoma-related adverse events occurred in 21 (8.1%) eyes, whereas 27 (10.4%) eyes developed steroid-induced ocular hypertension. The percentage of glaucoma-related adverse events was 0%, 1.2%, 1.2%, 1.6%, 4.0%, and 8.9% at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years after surgery, respectively. Sixteen (18.8%), five (7.9%), and zero eyes developed glaucoma-related adverse events in groups 2, 3, and 1, respectively. Family history of congenital cataract [hazard ratio (HR), 50.463; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.051–361.139; P < 0.001], preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) [HR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.009–1.034; P = 0.001], preoperative horizontal corneal diameter (HCD) [HR, 3.922; 95% CI, 1.558–9.804; P = 0.004], and preoperative lens thickness (LT) [HR, 3.745; 95% CI, 1.344–10.417; P = 0.012] were identified as predictors of postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events.

Conclusions

Family history of congenital cataract, thicker preoperative CCT, smaller preoperative HCD, and thinner preoperative LT are the main risk factors of postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events. Regular monitoring of children after cataract surgery with these risk factors may help ophthalmologists detect susceptible individuals and provide timely interventions in the clinic.

Changes in Intraocular Pressure and Anterior Chamber Angle After Congenital Cataract Extraction

PRECIS

Anterior chamber angle (ACA) narrowing continues to occur for at least 2 years after congenital cataract surgery. Risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after congenital cataract surgery were higher central corneal thickness (CCT) and surgery at <2 months.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to study the changes in IOP and in the ACA during the first 2 years after pediatric cataract surgery and to determine risk factors for such changes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study was done on infants who underwent pediatric cataract surgery in Cairo University Hospitals and completed a 1-year follow-up. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded including age at surgery, sex, corneal diameter, CCT pupil diameter, IOP, gonioscopic findings, presence of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, surgical approach, primary intraocular lens implantation, and perioperative subconjunctival steroid injection. Changes in IOP and in the ACA were recorded, and the risk factors for such changes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Postoperative IOP elevation >18 mm Hg occurred in 23 eyes of 206 eyes (11%), who completed Year 1 and in 9 (13%) of 86 eyes who completed Year 2. Risk factors for IOP elevation were larger preoperative CCT (P=0.01) in Year 1, and younger age at surgery (P=0.01), and aphakia (P=0.05) in Year 2. In multivariate analysis only younger age at surgery was a risk factor for IOP elevation in Year 2. ACA narrowing occurred in 49% and in 21% of the examined eyes in Years 1 and 2, respectively. Aphakia was not a significant risk factor of angle narrowing in Years 1 and 2 (P=0.17 and 0.42, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher preoperative CCT was a risk factor for early-onset IOP elevation. Surgery at >2 months was associated with lower susceptibility to late-onset IOP elevation.

Changes in corneal thickness after vitrectomy-Implications for glaucoma practice

Purpose

To evaluate changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) following vitrectomy.

Methods

All consecutive old and new patients referred to glaucoma services for possible secondary glaucoma after vitrectomy and who had undergone corneal pachymetry between July 2013 to June 2020, were included. The eye that developed elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and was diagnosed clinically as glaucoma after vitrectomy, was labelled as the “affected” eye. The contralateral eye of the patient with normal IOP and no history of vitrectomy was labelled as the “control” eye. The difference in CCT in the affected eye and the contralateral control eye (ΔCCT) and CCT were compared between different age groups. Correlation of CCT in the affected eye with age, diagnosis, type of surgery done, lens status and pre-existing glaucoma was done using multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Of 127 eyes of 120 patients (M:F = 85:35), the average CCT in the affected eye was significantly higher than the unaffected contralateral control eye (p<0.0001). The ΔCCT in eyes presenting at an age <25 years was higher (median 582, 497–840) than those that presented later (median 518, 384–755), p <0.0001, with maximum ΔCCT seen in eyes that had undergone vitrectomy at age<12 years. The CCT in the affected eye was significantly higher in aphakic eyes (588±81.6 microns) than in pseudophakic eyes (552±79.03 microns), p = 0.03. On multivariate analysis, age<25 years remained as a significant influencer of CCT in the affected eye (β = -1.7, p<0.001, R2 = 28.3%).

Conclusions

Young age group<25 years are more prone to corneal remodelling and CCT changes after vitrectomy.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Secondary Glaucoma After Pediatric Congenital Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Spain

PURPOSE

To analyze clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcomes of pediatric patients with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery at a single tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

Medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed as having glaucoma secondary to congenital cataract surgery between 1996 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 58 eyes of 42 patients were included with a median follow-up time of 55 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 27 to 128) after glaucoma diagnosis. Mean time of glaucoma onset after cataract surgery was 35 months (IQR: 5 to 96). At diagnosis, 81% of the eyes were aphakic and the majority presented with an open angle (86%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that glaucoma diagnosis was made earlier in eyes with persistent fetal vasculature (β = -0.334, P = .006) and aphakic eyes (β = 0.404, P = .001). Two-thirds of eyes required surgical treatment for glaucoma. Seventy percent had an Ahmed glaucoma valve (New World Medical, Inc) implantation as their primary procedure, followed by trabeculectomy (24%) and synechiolysis with peripheral iridotomy (6%). All medically treated eyes and 78% of the surgically treated eyes achieved intraocular pressure (IOP) control at the final visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery seems to follow a bimodal distribution (years 1 and 5 after cataract surgery). Two-thirds of the eyes required surgical hypotensive treatment to achieve IOP control. Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is a safe and effective surgical option to be considered as both first- and second-line treatment. Functional outcome was more favorable in those eyes with medically controlled glaucoma. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(5):292-300.].

Surgical outcomes of cataract surgery in anterior and combined persistent fetal vasculature using a novel surgical technique: a single center, prospective study

PURPOSE

To study the complications and surgical outcomes of cataract surgery in patients of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) with cataract.

METHODS

In this prospective study, phacoaspiration with/without intraocular lens implantation (IOL) was done in 20 children (mean age 14.2 months) with unilateral cataract with anterior (n = 6) or combined (n = 14) PFV. The rentrolental vascularized membrane was cauterized and dissected circumferentially, followed by cauterization and resection of the PFV stalk. The outcome measures included fixation preference using the CSM (central, steady, maintained) method and intraoperative and postoperative complications in an 18-month follow-up. The difference in outcomes of anterior and combined PFV, as well as aphakic and pseudophakic eyes, was studied.

RESULTS

CSM fixation was seen in 16 patients after 18 months. The intraocular lens was implanted in 16 eyes and 4 eyes with combined PFV were left aphakic. None of our patients had intraoperative bleeding. Visual axis obscuration was the major complication seen, requiring membranectomy in 8 children. Pupilloplasty was required with membranectomy in one eye. None of our patients developed glaucoma or retinal detachment.

CONCLUSION

Timely surgical intervention and aggressive amblyopia therapy led to good visual results in our study. Poor prognosis was seen in combined PFV, aphakia, and microphthalmia.

Outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve in paediatric glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery in persistent foetal vasculature

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of primary Ahmed glaucoma valve in refractory secondary glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery, particularly in persistent foetal vasculature.

METHOD

Retrospective review of paediatric patients after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory post-lensectomy glaucoma in a tertiary referral centre in Spain. Surgical complications, additional and/or replacements of Ahmed glaucoma valve, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, glaucoma medications and final visual acuity were studied.

RESULTS

A total of 29 eyes, 41% with persistent foetal vasculature and 59% with non-persistent foetal vasculature were included with mean follow-up of 105 ± 67 and 74 ± 45 months, respectively, after first Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Median survival time for the first Ahmed glaucoma valve was significantly lower in persistent foetal vasculature (7.0 ± 3.2 months) compared to non-persistent foetal vasculature (over 129 months), p = 0.001. The cumulative probability of success in persistent foetal vasculature and non-persistent foetal vasculature eyes with Ahmed glaucoma valve were, respectively, 37.5% and 88.2% at year 1 and 28.1% and 71.9% at year 5. Cox regression model suggested persistent foetal vasculature as predictive risk factor of time to Ahmed glaucoma valve failure (hazard ratio: 5.77, p = 0.004). Four eyes developed phthisis bulbi. Mean intraocular pressure prior glaucoma surgery was 32.66 ± 6.73 mmHg and decreased to 16.54 ± 2.75 mmHg (p < 0.001) at final visit. The most frequent early postoperative complication was severe hypotony (32.6%) which tended to be self-limiting. Vitreous haemorrhage was associated with persistent foetal vasculature (p = 0.024). Ahmed glaucoma valve replacements after complications and additional Ahmed glaucoma valve implantations due to unsatisfactory intraocular pressure were more common in the persistent foetal vasculature group.

CONCLUSION

Eyes with persistent foetal vasculature and secondary glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery followed by AGV implantation had a higher number of complications and a decreased probability of success compared to the non-persistent foetal vasculature group. Both groups achieved a significant decrease in intraocular pressure; thus, Ahmed glaucoma valve may be considered as first-line treatment in refractory glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery.

Visual and Anatomical Outcomes With Vitrectomy in Posterior or Combined Persistent Fetal Vasculature in an Asian Population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical features and surgical outcomes of vitrectomy in posterior or combined persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) in an Asian pediatric population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series relating the surgical outcome of PFV. Eyes that underwent pars plicata vitrectomy and/or lensectomy for posterior or combined PFV between 2006 and 2015 were included. The main outcome measures were the anatomic and functional results as well as the complications after the vitrectomy with or without lensectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 25 eyes of 18 patients younger than 8 years of age were included in the study. The mean age of the patients receiving first pars plicata vitrectomy and/or lensectomy was 15.2 months ± 21.7 months (range: 1 month to 83 months). Postoperatively, successful anatomic correction in the posterior segment was observed in 20 eyes (80%). In addition, 19 of the 25 eyes (76%) had visual acuity (VA) better than 20/4000, and the mean logMAR VA of these 19 eyes was 1.74 (range: 0.48 to 2.30). The mean change of axial length of the eyes receiving surgery was 0.7 mm ± 1.4 mm (range: -1.0 mm to 2.4 mm; P = .18). None of the patients ended up with phthisis or glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that vitrectomy and/or lensectomy in patients with posterior or combined PFV with macular involvement may result in an acceptable anatomical outcome; however, the functional outcome remained poor despite surgical intervention in these patients. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:377-384.].

Secondary glaucoma and visual axis opacification in aphakic and pseudophakic patients following congenital cataract surgery: A 28-year longitudinal case series

Purpose:

To determine the incidence, timing and risk factors for glaucoma and visual axis opacification development following surgery for congenital cataract in the first year of life.

Methods:

A prospective case series of all cataract surgery performed in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital over a 28-year period was conducted. A total of 93 subjects (135 eyes) were analysed. Sixty-two eyes had a primary intraocular lens inserted at the time of surgery; 73 eyes were aphakic. We recorded patient demographics, age at surgery, length of follow-up, rates and time to diagnosis of glaucoma and rates of visual axis opacification. Relative risk analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for secondary glaucoma and visual axis opacification.

Results:

Mean length of follow-up was 160.02 ± 64.42 months (13.3 years), range 40–336 months. Final mean LogMAR across all groups was 0.85 ± 0.51 (0.90). Overall 45 (33.33%) eyes developed secondary glaucoma, 12 (19.4%) in pseudophakic eyes and 33 (45.21%) in aphakic eyes. The incidence of glaucoma was highest in bilateral aphakia (relative risk 1.96, p = 0.0240) and in eyes with corneal diameter <9.5 mm (relative risk 1.93, p = 0.0364). There was no significant difference in glaucoma rates between pseudophakia and aphakia in those operated on less than 2.5 months of age. Secondary glaucoma occurred between 3 months to 16.5 years post surgery. Rates of visual axis opacification were lower in aphakia compared to pseudophakia (relative risk 0.59, p = 0.0098).

Conclusion:

Overall glaucoma rates of one-third are similar to those recorded in the infantile aphakic treatment study. It can occur up to 17 years post cataract surgery, evidence that long-term follow-up is imperative.

Five-Year Postoperative Outcomes of Bilateral Aphakia and Pseudophakia in Children up to 2 Years of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

Comparative evaluation of complications and visual outcomes following bilateral congenital cataract surgery in children up to 2 years of age with and without primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation at 5 years follow-up.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

METHODS

Sixty children (120 eyes) up to 2 years of age undergoing bilateral congenital cataract surgery were randomized to Group 1, primary aphakia (n = 30), or Group 2, primary IOL implantation (pseudophakia) (n = 30). A single surgeon performed surgeries with identical surgical technique. All patients were followed up regularly until 5 years postoperatively. At each follow-up, glaucoma, visual axis obscuration (VAO) requiring surgery, and inflammation (cell deposits, posterior synechiae) were assessed. Visual acuity was assessed until 5 years follow-up. The first operated eye was selected for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Median age of the patients at time of surgery was 5.11 months (aphakia group) and 6.01 months (pseudophakia group) (P = .56). Five years postoperatively, incidence of glaucoma was 16% and 13.8% in Groups 1 and 2 (P = .82). Incidence of posterior synechiae was significantly higher in the pseudophakia group (27.6%) compared to the aphakia group (8%) (P = .004). VAO requiring surgery was seen in 8% and 10.3% of eyes in Groups 1 and 2 (P = .76). Mean logMAR visual acuity at 5 years follow-up was 0.59 ± 0.33 and 0.5 ± 0.23 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = .79). However, more eyes in the pseudophakic group started giving documentable vision earlier in their postoperative follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of postoperative complications was comparable between the groups, except for a higher incidence of posterior synechiae in pseudophakic eyes. Visual rehabilitation was faster in the pseudophakic group.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Early-onset Glaucoma following Pediatric Cataract Surgery in Egyptian Children: One-year Study

Aim

To study the incidence and risk factors of glaucoma occurring within 1 year following pediatric cataract surgery in Egyptian children.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective nonrandomized study conducted at Aburich Children’s Hospital, over a period of 1 year on a cohort of Egyptian patients with congenital and infantile cataract. One hundred and fifty eyes of 88 patients were enrolled in this study. All the patients underwent anterior approach removal of lens matter, whereas primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was carried at the age of 1 and 2 years for unilateral and bilateral cases respectively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. For those who developed glaucoma, time of diagnosis and associated risk factors were reported.

Results

The incidence of glaucoma was 11.33% (17 of 150 eyes), while incidence of glaucoma suspect was 0.67% (1 of 150 eyes) in the first year following cataract surgery. The majority of the cases (66.7%) were discovered in the first 3 months postcataract surgery. Age at time of cataract surgery, the state of aphakia/pseudophakia, persistent fetal vasculature (PFV), and microphthalmia were not found to be significant predictors of early-onset glaucoma in our study.

Conclusion

Aphakic glaucoma continues to be a devastating condition with high incidence during first year following cataract surgery.

Clinical significance

Regular follow-up should start as early as possible following cataract surgery. Further prospective studies with larger study population are required.

How to cite this article: Gawdat GI, Youssef MM, Bahgat NM, Elfayoumi DM, Eddin MAS. Incidence and Risk Factors of Early-onset Glaucoma following Pediatric Cataract Surgery in Egyptian Children: One-year Study. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2017;11(3):80-85.

Visual outcome in early vitrectomy for posterior persistent fetal vasculature associated with traction retinal detachment

PURPOSE

This study investigates the anatomical and visual outcome of vitrectomy for the treatment of unilateral posterior persistent fetal vasculature with associated traction retinal detachment in very young patients.

METHODS

A retrospective case series study from 1998 through 2010 of 11 eyes in 11 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with or without lensectomy for unilateral posterior persistent fetal vasculature with traction retinal detachment affecting the macula.

RESULTS

Ten of the 11 patients (91%) received surgical intervention when 13 months old or younger (average age, 4 months). Postoperatively, 6 of 10 eyes (60%) had 20/800 or better vision, 2 of which had 20/60 vision. All 10 patients in this group had their retinas reattached postoperatively with significant reversal of retinal dragging. One of the 11 patients (9%) received surgical intervention for posterior persistent fetal vasculature at 33 months of age. This patient had persistent traction retinal detachment and a postoperative visual acuity of hand motion. Postoperative glaucoma was detected in 4 patients (36%).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that early intervention in patients with unilateral posterior persistent fetal vasculature with associated macula affecting traction retinal detachment may provide a better visual and anatomical outcome when vitrectomy and retinal reattachment are performed at a very early age.

Outcome of surgical treatment of primary and secondary glaucoma in young children

PURPOSE

To describe a paediatric cohort surgically treated for primary or secondary glaucoma (PG/SG), with regard to incidences, visual outcome and control of intraocular pressure (IOP).

METHODS

All children (n = 29, 42 eyes in total) surgically treated for PG or SG at the age of 4 years or younger between January 2002 and December 2010 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Mölndal were retrospectively studied through medical records. Median follow-up time after initial surgery was 5.9 years (range 2.4-11.2 years).

RESULTS

The incidence of primary congenital glaucoma was 4.3 cases per 100 000 live births in the county of Västra Götaland. For glaucoma secondary to cataract surgery, the incidence was 13% with a median postoperative duration to diagnosis of glaucoma of 3.8 months (range 1.6 months to 4.3 years). Preoperative mean IOP was 31.5 (SD 8.1) mmHg, and mean IOP at last visit was 17.1 (SD 4.4) mmHg. For the entire cohort, 30% of the glaucoma eyes required more than two IOP-lowering surgical procedures during the study period. BCVA was ≥0.3 (decimal) in 45% of glaucomatous eyes at last follow-up with no statistically significant difference between PG and SG. Analysis of functional visual outcome, that is BCVA in the better eye, showed that 83% of all patients attained a BCVA of ≥0.5.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidences and outcome of surgically treated paediatric glaucoma were in accordance with previous studies. Chamber angle surgery, and if necessary, tube implantation without the use of antimetabolites, is a favourable approach leaving most sites needed for future glaucoma surgery unaffected.

[Aphakic and pseudophakic glaucoma following pediatric cataract surgery]

Modern surgical techniques allow congenital cataract surgery to be performed much more successfully. The development of a secondary glaucoma is the most dreaded postoperative complication (one third of all pediatric secondary glaucomas). Due to the limited value of the available literature, data on prevalence are unreliable. A 10-year postoperative incidence of 10-25% is given in the literature for developing secondary glaucoma and the frequency increases with the duration of follow-up. A major risk factor seems to be the age at the time of surgery. The younger the patient is at the time of surgery the higher the risk of secondary glaucoma. A microcornea seems to be another risk factor in multivariate analysis. The following postoperative changes might be involved in the pathogenesis: peripheral anterior synechia, high iris insertion and membranous material over the trabecular meshwork. Additionally postoperative inflammation, reaction to lens epithelial cells, perioperative barotrauma and loss of anterior segment architecture might also be responsible. In order to evaluate the optimal age window for congenital cataract surgery and risk factors for the development of secondary glaucoma, a prospective longitudinal study is mandatory.

Cataract surgery in the first year of life: aphakic glaucoma and visual outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To report the incidence of aphakic glaucoma following lensectomy in infants in their first year of life and examine the impact of this diagnosis on visual outcome.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who had lensectomy for congenital cataract during the first year of life at British Columbia Children's Hospital between 1995 and 2006.

METHODS

Retrospective review of medical records.

RESULTS

Seventy-five eyes of 46 patients (29 bilateral, 17 unilateral) were included. The mean age at lensectomy was 93 days (range, 2-364 days) with a mean follow-up of 77.5 months (range, 36-166 months). Patients with bilateral cataracts had a better visual outcome than those with unilateral cataracts (p < 0.032). Of the patients with measurable visual acuity (VA), 34 of 45 eyes (75.6%) with bilateral cataracts and only 3 of 16 eyes (18.8%) with unilateral cataract achieved a VA of 20/40 or better. Eighteen of 75 eyes (24%) developed aphakic glaucoma at a mean of 30 months following lensectomy. Nine patients (50%) achieved final vision of 20/40 or better. The development of aphakic glaucoma was not associated with worse visual outcomes (p < 0.315). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at diagnosis was 28.6±5.9 mm Hg and mean final IOP was 14.1 ± 3.0 mm Hg, a significant reduction (p < 0.0001). Fifteen of 18 eyes with aphakic glaucoma (83.3%) required surgical intervention to achieve IOP control.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with aphakic glaucoma may have good visual outcomes if it is recognized early and managed appropriately. A significant proportion of patients required surgical intervention to control IOP.

The incidence of glaucoma following paediatric cataract surgery: a 20-year retrospective study

AIMS

To analyse the incidence of glaucoma in children undergoing cataract surgery and determine whether early surgery is associated with increased risk of glaucoma.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all children aged 14 years or less who had surgery for congenital or developmental cataract at one unit over the last 20 years. The children were divided into three groups; group 1 consisting of children aged < or =50 days at surgery, group 2 those aged 51 days to 1 year, and group 3 aged 1-14 years.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 104 eyes of 74 children. The medical records for 100 eyes (71 children) were available for review. In all, 17 eyes (12 children) were aged < or =50 days at surgery, none of which have developed glaucoma. Group 2 consisted of 28 eyes (17 children) with one patient developing glaucoma in both eyes 11 years after surgery. Group 3 consisted of 55 eyes (42 children), none of which have developed glaucoma. After a median follow-up period of 4.9 years (range 0.6-19.6 years, mean 6.4 +/- 5.2 years) 2% of eyes had developed glaucoma. There was no significant difference in the length of follow-up between groups (H=2.979, P=0.22, Kruskal-Wallis Test).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a low incidence of glaucoma in our series and this was not increased in those having surgery in the first 6 weeks of life. Our findings contribute further evidence for the variability in prevalence of glaucoma after paediatric cataract extraction in the literature and suggest that factors other than age at surgery are important risk factors for this condition.

Long-term results of early contact lens use in pediatric unilateral aphakia

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate which factor(s) might predict excellent Snellen visual acuity results in unilateral nontraumatic pediatric aphakes.

METHODS

Retrospective review of all unilateral pediatric aphakic patients seen in a specialty contact lens clinic between 1982 and 2009. Inclusion criteria as follows: (1) cataract extraction before age 6 weeks, (2) no other health complications, (3) contact lens fitting within 3 weeks postsurgery, and (4) measurable subjective visual performance on a clinical Snellen acuity chart. Fifteen patients were identified: 10 patients with persistent fetal vasculature syndrome (PFV) and 5 patients with the diagnosis of idiopathic congenital cataract (ICC).

RESULTS

Final Snellen acuity results showed seven patients (46.67%) developed excellent Snellen visual acuities (defined as 20/50 or better), four patients (26.67%) developed moderate Snellen visual acuities (20/125 to 20/60), and four total patients (26.67%) developed poor Snellen visual acuities (worse than 20/200). Analysis used descriptive statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 50% of our unilateral nontraumatic pediatric aphakic patients aged older than 5 years achieved excellent Snellen visual acuity in the aphakic eye. The amount of surgical or ocular complications seems to have an inverse relationship with Snellen visual acuity in PFV. Patching compliance, without implying cause-effect direction, also had a direct relationship with final Snellen visual acuity for patients. Early cataract extraction, good to moderate patching compliance, and aggressive early contact lens management can lead to moderate to excellent Snellen visual results in several unilateral pediatric aphakic patients.

Glaucoma in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes following surgery for congenital cataract in the first year of life

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence and risk factors for glaucoma in pseudophakic and aphakic eyes following surgery for congenital cataract within the first year of life.

METHODS

We conducted a review of all cataract surgery performed at our unit over a 23-year period. Age at surgery, corneal diameter, intraocular lens implantation, presence of persistent foetal vasculature and visual axis opacification (VAO) were documented. Time to development of glaucoma, management and outcome were determined. One eye was selected randomly for analysis in cases of bilateral cataract.

RESULTS

Duration of follow-up was significantly longer (p < 0.001) in the aphakic (113 +/- 69 months) compared to the pseudophakic group (56 +/- 44 months). Age at surgery was significantly less (p = 0.01) in the aphakic group. The incidence of glaucoma was significantly greater (p = 0.02) in the aphakic (15 eyes, 33%) compared to the pseudophakic (seven eyes, 13%) group. Each eye that developed glaucoma underwent cataract extraction aged < or = 2.5 months. Analysis of all eyes that underwent surgery aged < or = 2.5 months revealed no statistical difference (p = 0.08) in the incidence of glaucoma. Smaller corneal diameter and VAO were not associated with increased risk of glaucoma development. Ahmed valves proved effective in controlling intraocular pressure but visual outcome was poor in the majority of cases.

CONCLUSION

Surgery for congenital cataract at an early age increases the risk of glaucoma development, regardless of whether the eye is aphakic or pseudophakic. Intraocular pressure control with Ahmed valves is frequently required. Glaucomatous damage and dense amblyopia contribute to poor visual outcome in these eyes.

Incidence of and factors associated with glaucoma after surgery for congenital cataract: findings from the British Congenital Cataract Study

PURPOSE

To report the incidence of and factors associated with postoperative open-angle glaucoma in a nationally representative group of children undergoing surgery for congenital or infantile cataract.

DESIGN

Noncomparative interventional cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All children in the United Kingdom who were newly diagnosed with congenital or infantile cataract in a 12-month period in 1995 and 1996 (the British Congenital/Infantile Cataract Study) were eligible for this study. One hundred sixty-five children with congenital or infantile cataract underwent cataract surgery.

METHODS

All the children were traced through their managing ophthalmologists. Standardized outcome data were collected at least 6 years after diagnosis. For children undergoing cataract extraction, Cox regression analysis was performed to determine incidence of postoperative open-angle glaucoma and the effect of key factors considered, a priori, potentially to be associated with it (i.e., age at detection and surgery, type of cataract surgery, primary intraocular lens implantation, severe postoperative uveitis, and microphthalmia).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Development of open-angle glaucoma after cataract surgery.

RESULTS

Postoperative glaucoma developed in 27 of 275 eyes of 165 children who underwent cataract surgery. The overall annual incidence of postoperative glaucoma was 5.25 per 100 cataract operations. The median time to development of postoperative glaucoma was 1.34 years (range, 0.39 months-6.73 years). Younger age at detection of cataract was the only factor independently associated with the development of glaucoma when all other factors of interest (which were all statistically associated with age at detection) were accounted for. A 10-fold increase in the age at detection (for example, 30 days compared with 3 days) was associated with a 64% decrease in the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval, 41%-79%; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Median time to development of postoperative open-angle glaucoma in the present study was lower than that reported previously, emphasizing the need for vigilance from the early postoperative period. Earlier detection of cataract was the only significant factor associated with the development of glaucoma after surgery for congenital cataract.

Updates on the Surgical Management of Paediatric Cataract with Primary Intraocular Lens Implantation

With the advent of modern surgical techniques, paediatric cataract has become much more manageable. Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is the standard of care for patients over the age of 2 years. The use of IOL in young infants is still controversial. In addition, there are still unresolved issues, such as the minimum age at which IOL can be safely implanted, IOL power selection and IOL power calculation. The current trends in the management of the above challenges are discussed. Although numerous reports on the prevention and management of posterior capsule opacification have been published, there are ongoing intensive debates and research. Long-term postoperative complications like glaucoma and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment are problems that cannot be overemphasised and these issues are also reviewed. Key words: Congenital cataract, Intraocular lens, Posterior capsule opacification

Paediatric aphakic glaucoma

CONTEXT

Aphakic glaucoma is a serious, sight-threatening complication in children who remain aphakic following congenital cataract surgery. The reported incidence varies from 15% to 45% and it has a higher incidence in small eyes and in babies who undergo surgery before 4 weeks of age. Most cases take the form of open-angle glaucoma. Despite careful monitoring, diagnostic difficulties in children may lead to delayed treatment. Aphakic children require ongoing monitoring, including examinations carried out under general anaesthesia.

MANAGEMENT

Contrary to earlier optimism, it is unlikely, according to current clinical information, that intraocular lenses provide protection against the development of glaucoma. It is likely that the lower incidence of glaucoma in pseudophakic eyes results from selection bias for lens insertion. Both medical and surgical treatments have a role in glaucoma management. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C or Seton implantation (glaucoma drainage device) form the mainstay of surgical treatment. The success rate with Seton implants is better in the short term and more promising in the longer term than that of trabeculectomy. Cyclodestructive procedures play a role in refractory glaucoma. Success rates for surgery range from 14% to 44% and many children require additional medical treatment. Children with aphakic glaucoma need lifelong care. Despite our best efforts, many have poor vision, poor glaucoma control and ultimately become blind.

Comparison of delayed-onset glaucoma and early-onset glaucoma after infantile cataract surgery

Purpose

To investigate the causes and characteristics of glaucoma in children following cataract surgery.

Methods

Twenty-four patients (37 eyes) with uncomplicated congenital cataracts who developed glaucoma after cataract surgery were studied retrospectively. Variables included cataract morphology, surgical techniques, post-operative complications, time to the onset of glaucoma, gonioscopic findings, presence of microcornea and the histopathologic characteristics of the filtration angle (in one case).

Results

There was a bimodal onset of glaucoma after cataract surgery. Early-onset glaucoma occurred at a mean age of 6 months in 15 eyes and delayed-onset glaucoma at a mean age of 12 years in 22 eyes. Early-onset glaucoma was significantly (p=0.018) more likely to be due to angle closure than delayed-onset glaucoma. With delayed-onset glaucoma, the filtration angle was open in 86% of eyes and significantly (p=0.006) more eyes in the delayed-onset group had microcornea. Medical treatment was sufficient to control intraocular pressure in the delayed-onset group while the early-onset group required surgical treatment (P<0.001).

Conclusions

The onset of glaucoma after cataract surgery during infancy follows a bimodal pattern that is correlated with the configuration of the filtration angle. The early-onset glaucoma group had high incidence of angle closure requiring surgical treatment, while in the delayed-onset group non-surgical treatment was sufficient to control intraocular pressure. Prophylactic iridectomy in eyes at risk for pupillary block is recommended. Eyes with delayed-onset glaucoma have open filtration angles yet also have findings of incomplete development of filtration structures. Microcornea is a risk factor for delayed-onset glaucoma.

Long-term outcome of pediatric aphakic glaucoma

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term outcome in pediatric patients with aphakic glaucoma.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 130 patients diagnosed with aphakic glaucoma between 1969 and 2004 was performed. A total of 36 patients (55 eyes) were included in this study after excluding those who had cataract extraction after age 10 and those patients with other ocular conditions, systemic syndromes, traumatic cataracts, congenital glaucoma, or inadequate follow-up (less than 1 year). Outcome variables studied included visual acuity, number of medication changes required over the course of the follow-up, maximum number of medications used at a time for more than 6 months to control intraocular pressures, and surgical interventions required. Mean follow-up period was 18.7 years (range, 6.9-35 years).

RESULTS

At the time of last follow-up, 54.5% of the patients had visual acuity 20/40 or better, 34.5% had 20/50 to 20/200, and 11% had acuity worse than 20/200. During the course of follow-up, 34% required 1 to 2 medication changes for controlling glaucoma, 33% required 3 to 5 medication changes, and 33% required 6 or more medication changes. Thirty-six percent of the eyes required a maximum of 1 to 2 medications for more than 6 months during the course of follow-up, 33% required 3, and 31% required 4 or more medications for controlling intraocular pressure. Of the 55 eyes, 15 eyes (27%) required surgical intervention. Six of the 15 eyes (40%) required 1 surgery, 8 eyes (53%) required 2 to 3 surgeries, and 1 eye (7%) required 4 to 6 surgeries.

CONCLUSION

Patients with glaucoma after pediatric cataract surgery can have a good visual outcome although multiple medications and surgical interventions may be required to control the glaucoma.

Glaucoma in children: are we making progress?

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma in children presents difficult clinical challenges. Even when appropriately treated, blindness can occur.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series and literature review.

METHODS

All clinical records of children seen by the author with a diagnosis of glaucoma established before 16 years of age were reviewed from 1977 to 2003. Glaucoma was classified as primary infantile, aphakic, syndrome-related, and secondary. The best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, configuration of the optic nerve cup, and perimetry were recorded. The intraocular pressure (IOP) for each visit was recorded. IOP measurements of 19 mm Hg or less were considered "good." The percentage of "good" readings was calculated for each eye. Representative visual acuities, refractive errors, IOP, disk configuration, and perimetry were recorded at 6, 12, 18, and 24 years of age for each patient. The admitting ophthalmologic diagnosis for each child at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children was recorded from 1887 to 2003.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-six children (204 eyes) were studied: infantile glaucoma, 52 eyes; aphakic glaucoma, 40 eyes; syndrome associated, 69 eyes; and secondary glaucoma, 43 eyes. The mean follow-up was 11.6 years (1 to 30 years). Overall, 60 (29.4%) of 204 eyes had a 6/12 (20/40) or better corrected visual acuity at the most recent visit. The percentage with this acuity remained stable throughout the follow-up period. Eyes with infantile glaucoma had the best acuity, and 40% had 6/12 (20/40) or better. Amblyopia was common and responded to treatment. Eyes with aphakic glaucoma had the worst acuity with only 10% achieving 6/12 or better. These eyes had a bimodal onset of glaucoma; eyes with an early onset had an angle closure configuration and eyes with a delayed onset had an open angle. Early cataract removal and microcornea were risk factors for glaucoma. If the IOP was maintained at 19 mm Hg or less (good) on 80% of the determinations over time, the optic nerve cup compared with the diameter of the optic nerve (C/D ratios) were stable. Eight patients had multiple, good quality, visual fields performed over 3 to 15 years. If the patients had "good" IOP on 70% of the measurements, the visual fields remained stable. A historical perspective of glaucoma control was gained by looking at the admitting diagnosis at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. From 1910 to 1970, an average of 9.2 children blind due to glaucoma were admitted each decade. From 1971 to 2003, there were only three children with glaucoma admitted over 30 years.

CONCLUSION

Removal of congenital cataracts should be delayed until 3 to 4 weeks of age. Consideration should be given for using 19 mm Hg or less to measure the success of glaucoma treatment in children. Treatment of amblyopia is as important as IOP control in children. Imaging technology such as optical coherence tomography and measurement of central corneal thickness may play an important future role in the assessment of children with suspected or known glaucoma.

The aetiology in paediatric aphakic glaucoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the causes of glaucoma in children following removal of cataracts.

METHODS

In total, 24 patients (37 eyes) with uncomplicated congenital cataracts who developed glaucoma following cataract removal were studied retrospectively. Cataract morphology, surgical technique, postoperative complications, time to glaucoma onset, gonioscopic findings, the presence of microcornea, and the histopathologic characteristics of the filtration angle in one case were the studied parameters.

RESULTS

We found a bimodal onset of glaucoma. Early-onset glaucoma occurred at a mean age of 6 months in 15 eyes and delayed-onset glaucoma at a mean age of 12 years in 22 eyes. Early-onset glaucoma was significantly (P=0.018) more likely to be due to angle closure. With delayed-onset glaucoma, the filtration angle is open in 86% of eyes and significantly (P=0.006) more eyes in the delayed-onset group had microcornea.

CONCLUSIONS

Performing cataract surgery very early in life in microphthalmic eyes and leaving residual lens material increases the risk for glaucoma. We recommend a prophylactic iridectomy in eyes at risk for pupillary block. Eyes with delayed-onset glaucoma have open filtration angles but with findings consistent with incomplete development of filtration structures. Early age at cataract extraction and microcornea are risk factors for delayed-onset glaucoma.

Central corneal thickness and glaucoma in aphakic and pseudophakic children

BACKGROUND

The risk of glaucoma among aphakic children is as high as 32%, based primarily on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. Although IOP may be falsely elevated by increased central corneal thickness, central corneal thickness (CCT) values have not been reported in this population.

METHODS

Patients from the practices of 2 pediatric ophthalmologists and 2 glaucoma specialists had measurements of CCT, IOP, and optic nerve cupping, with visual field analysis when possible. Normal fellow eyes of unilateral aphakes and pseudophakes were included as controls.

RESULTS

In 36 aphakic and 6 pseudophakic eyes CCT averaged 660 microns compared with 576 microns for phakic fellow eyes (P < 0.0001). Glaucoma, defined by IOP at least 35 mm Hg or by IOP at least 22 mm Hg associated with optic nerve changes, occurred in 21% of 28 aphakic patients but in no pseudophakic patient.

CONCLUSIONS

CCT in aphakic/pseudophakic children is substantially increased compared with control patients. These values may be important in interpreting IOP measurements in these children.

Frequency and predictors of retinal detachment after pediatric cataract surgery without primary intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency and to identify predictors of retinal detachment after pediatric cataract surgery without primary intraocular lens implantation.

METHODS

Retrospective review at an eye hospital identified 1017 eyes among 579 patients who underwent limbal-approach surgery without primary IOL implantation at age < or =16 years for cataract unassociated with other ocular abnormalities aside from microcornea. Patients had a minimum of 2 years postoperative follow-up. The outcome measure was the presence or absence of postcataract surgery retinal detachment, and analyses were performed on patients' eyes with adjustment for intrasubject correlation.

RESULTS

Mean postcataract surgery follow-up was 6.8 +/- 3.6 years (range, 2.0 to 18.3 years). Retinal detachment developed in 33 (3.2%) of the 1017 patients' eyes and was diagnosed at a mean of 6.8 +/- 4.4 years postcataract surgery (range, 0.4 to 14.8 years). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with adjustment for intrasubject correlation identified an aphakic refractive error more myopic than the age-adjusted aphakic norm [hazard ratio (HR), 5.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9 to 18.0; P = 0.002] and postcataract surgery wound dehiscence (HR, 15.4; 95% CI, 2.2 to 108.5; P = 0.006) as predictors of retinal detachment; a primary posterior capsulotomy/anterior vitrectomy procedure was not predictive of retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal detachment is infrequent following pediatric cataract surgery without primary IOL implantation, at least with short-term follow-up. A postoperative aphakic refractive error more myopic (less hyperopic) than the age-adjusted aphakic norm is predictive of this complication.

Congenital cataract extraction with primary aphakia and secondary intraocular lens implantation in the ciliary sulcus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of cataract extraction without primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children.

SETTING

Ophthalmology Unit, University Hospital, Strasbourg, France.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised 157 congenital cataract cases (55 bilateral and 47 unilateral) treated between 1985 and 2001. Evaluated were the functional results (visual acuity, binocular vision) and factors influencing the prognosis (age at surgery, stage of cataract development, associated pathology, postoperative complications). In all patients, cataract extraction was via the pars plana and anterior vitrectomy was performed, leaving a peripheral capsular collarette in place. Postoperatively, all the patients were fitted with glasses or contact lenses, after which they had secondary implantation of an IOL in the ciliary sulcus.

RESULTS

The functional results were similar to those in the literature for eyes with or without an IOL. Nevertheless, the literature reports a 25% risk for reoperation in the first 2 years after implantation and secondary vitrectomy for reopacification of the visual axis in 20% of bilateral cases and 38% of unilateral cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our functional results indicate that in cases of bilateral congenital cataracts, initial rehabilitation with aphakic correction and secondary IOL implantation leads to a predictable postoperative refraction and fewer complications. Visual rehabilitation in unilateral aphakia was more difficult because of poor compliance with contact lenses, generally leading to a preference for early IOL implantation.

Use of AcrySof acrylic foldable intraocular lens for secondary implantation in children

PURPOSE

Secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is an increasingly viable option in the management of pediatric aphakia. We report our experience of secondary IOL implantation in pediatric patients using the AcrySof (Alcon Surgical, Fort Worth, Texas) 3-piece foldable lenses through a small incision.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of all our patients < 18 years undergoing secondary IOL implantation of the AcrySof lens from 1997 to 2001. All patients with a minimum of 6 months follow-up were included. Records were analyzed for age at surgery, postoperative acuity change, postoperative refractive error and anisometropia, surgical complications, and length of follow-up.

RESULTS

Fifty-five eyes of 36 patients were included in the review. Mean age at surgery was 7.4 years (1.1 to 15.4), and mean follow-up was 28 months (6.3 months to 5 years). Vision decrease > 2 lines was noted in 3 eyes (5.8%) during the follow-up period. Complications included IOL decentration in 3 eyes (5%), wound leak in 3 eyes (5%), secondary membrane formation in 5 eyes (9%), pupillary block glaucoma in 1 eye (2%), and ptosis in 1 eye (2%). Four eyes (7%) required reoperation for complications. Mean postoperative refractive error was -0.1 +/- 3.2 diopters (D), and mean anisometropia was 2.01 +/- 1.44 D. Glaucoma subsequently developed in 6 eyes (11%), 2 of which required surgical correction.

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary placement of the AcrySof IOL in the ciliary sulcus is a safe and effective method to correct aphakia in pediatric patients with adequate capsular support. The incidence of complications requiring reoperation is low.

Frequency and predictors of glaucoma after pediatric cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency of and identify predictors of chronic glaucoma after pediatric cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Interventional case series.

METHODS

Retrospective review at an eye hospital identified 570 eyes among 322 patients who underwent limbal-approach surgery without intraocular lens implantation at age <or=16 years for cataract unassociated with other ocular anomalies aside from microcornea. Patients had a minimum of 5 years' postoperative follow-up, which included intraocular pressure measurement. The outcome measure was the presence or absence of postcataract surgery glaucoma, defined as intraocular pressure >or=26 mm Hg, as measured on at least two occasions.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 9.0 +/- 3.1 years (median, 8.1 years; range, 5.0-18.3 years). Glaucoma developed in 118 of 570 patients' eyes (21%), including 101 of 272 (37%) undergoing surgery at <or=9 months of age and 17 of 298 (6%) undergoing surgery thereafter. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with adjustment for potential intrasubject correlation identified surgery at <or=9 months of age (hazard ratio [HR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-7.7; P <.001), secondary membrane surgery (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.3; P =.006), microcornea (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.1; P =.008), and primary posterior capsulotomy/anterior vitrectomy (HR, 10.7; 95% CI, 1.4-80.6; P =.02) as predictors of glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic glaucoma is common after cataract surgery performed at or before, but not after, a certain age in childhood. The data suggest that this age threshold is 9 months, but a true threshold occurring at a somewhat later age cannot be fully excluded.

Unilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous: course and outcome

PURPOSE

Improved surgical techniques enable more favorable results in the management of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the outcome of PHPV eyes managed conservatively or after surgery (with or without intraocular lens implantation).

METHODS

A total of 89 children (37 boys, 52 girls) with PHPV in one eye (mean follow-up of 6.3 +/- 5.7 years) were included. The children were subgrouped according to treatment modality. Twenty-eight (31.5%) children were managed conservatively (nonoperated). Cataract extraction combined with vitrectomy and removal of embryonic remnants was carried out in 61 eyes (68.5%). Intraocular lenses were implanted in 30 of the operated eyes (pseudophakic) and 31 eyes remained without lens (aphakic).

RESULTS

Final evaluated visual acuity in the entire group was 6/15 or better in 12.6% (11 of 87) of the eyes. A total of 11.5% (10 of 87) had a visual acuity of 6/21 to 6/60, 46.0% (40 of 87) obtained 6/90 to light perception and 26 of 87 (29.9%) had no light perception in the involved eye. The rate of no light perception was significantly lower in patients with pseudophakia (10.0%) compared to those with aphakia (43.3%) or nonoperated (37.0%) eyes (P =.009). Intraocular pressure was adequately assessed repeatedly in 72 eyes. High intraocular pressure and glaucomatous changes were observed in 7 of 31 (22.6%) patients with aphakia, 2 of 24(8.3%) patients with pseudophakia and in 2 of 17(11.8%) nonoperated eyes (P =.34). Poor cosmetic outcome was seen in 12 of 31 (38.7%) children with aphakic eyes and 5 of 30 (16.7%) children with pseudophakic eyes (P =.08). Prosthesis or cosmetic shells were needed for 8 of 31 patients with aphakia, for none of the patients with pseudophakia and for 2 of 28 of the nonoperated children (P =.003).

CONCLUSION

PHPV eyes have a potential for developing useful vision with favorable cosmetic outcome after surgery. Intraocular lens implantation may be a favorable and beneficial option for the management of children with unilateral PHPV.

Visual outcomes and complications of posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in the first year of life

PURPOSE

To document the visual outcome and postoperative complications in infants who had congenital cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation in the first year of life.

SETTING

The Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

METHODS

Twenty-seven eyes of 20 infants were reviewed. Seven infants (14 eyes) had bilateral congenital cataract and 13 (13 eyes), uniocular cataract. The mean age at surgery was 4 months (range 3 weeks to 11 months). A standard surgical technique involved anterior capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification with or without posterior capsulorhexis with in-the-bag PC IOL implantation, and no anterior vitrectomy. Surgery was performed by 1 surgeon. The mean follow-up was 41 months (range 6 to 88 months).

RESULTS

The main complication was lens reproliferation into the visual axis. Of the 11 eyes that did not have a primary posterior capsulorhexis, 10 had 1 or more capsulotomies. Seven required a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy a mean of 6 months postoperatively, and 2 had 2 Nd:YAG capsulotomies. Six eyes also had a surgical capsulotomy when the membrane was deemed too thick for further laser treatment. Fourteen of 25 eyes had a primary posterior capsulorhexis; 8 had no further intervention. Four eyes had persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), 3 required a surgical capsulotomy, 2 had an Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, 2 had an anterior vitrectomy, and 1 developed open-angle glaucoma. There was a mean refractive shift of 6.0 diopters after a mean follow-up of 41 months, with most of the myopic shift occurring in the first 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Visual axis reopacification was the main complication of IOL implantation in infants, with PHPV leading to more complications and repeat procedures. Anterior vitrectomy appeared to reduce the reoperation rate. Results indicate that primary posterior capsulorhexis is important and Nd:YAG capsulotomy is not satisfactory in infants. In addition, the reduction in glaucoma with IOL implantation, if borne out over the long term, is a significant advantage in cases of congenital cataract.

Pediatric secondary lens implantation in the absence of capsular support

PURPOSE

To describe and evaluate alternate techniques for implanting intraocular lenses in children in the absence of adequate capsular support for traditional lens implantation.

METHODS

Postoperative results of 18 eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOLs) sutured to the ciliary sulcus and 10 eyes implanted with anterior chamber intraocular lenses (ACIOLs) were reviewed. Visual outcomes were divided into 2 groups: onset of aphakia during the critical period of visual development (< or = 9 years) and onset after the critical period (> 9 years). Visual outcomes and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Average follow-up was 10.3 months in the PCIOL group and 49.2 months in the ACIOL group. Eyes that became aphakic after the critical period of visual development achieved better overall final visual acuity than the eyes that became aphakic during the critical period; indeed, the eyes that became aphakic during the critical period did not achieve significantly improved vision. There were no complications in the PCIOL group. Complications in the ACIOL group included corectopia, haptic migration through the operative wound requiring removal, and pigment deposits on the lens.

CONCLUSIONS

PCIOLs sutured to the ciliary sulcus offer a superior option to ACIOLs for correction of childhood aphakia in children lacking capsular support. ACIOLs had a high rate of serious complications (10%) in this small series. Secondary implantation with transsclerally sutured PCIOLs should be considered in complicated cases when more conservative options have been exhausted.

Does primary intraocular lens implantation prevent "aphakic" glaucoma in children?

PURPOSE

Open-angle glaucoma may develop after surgery for congenital or developmental cataract with an incidence ranging from 3% to 41%. The pathogenesis of "aphakic" (open-angle) glaucoma remains unknown. Despite numerous reported clinical series (>1000 eyes), we are unaware of any reported case of open-angle glaucoma after primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for congenital or developmental cataract. We decided to test the hypothesis that primary posterior chamber IOL implantation might decrease the incidence of open-angle glaucoma in children.

METHODS

Pseudophakic eyes were collected from surgeons who contributed data to a refractive study and who monitored intraocular pressure on a regular basis. IOL implantation was commonly performed in eyes with a corneal diameter >10 mm. Comparable primary data on aphakic eyes were included from 2 published studies on aphakic glaucoma, which included corneal diameters and the patient's age at surgery. Glaucoma-free survival estimates for each cohort were estimated.

RESULTS

Only 1 case of glaucoma was found among 377 eyes with primary pseudophakia (mean age of patient, 5.1 +/- 4.7 years; mean follow-up, 3.9 +/- 2.7 years). There were 14 eyes (11.3%) with glaucoma among 124 aphakic eyes (mean age of patient, 2.7 +/- 2.6 years; mean follow-up time, 7.2 +/- 3.9 years).

CONCLUSIONS

We report a decreased incidence of open-angle glaucoma among eyes rendered primarily pseudophakic compared with those that remained aphakic after cataract surgery. We propose 2 theories on the possible mechanism of reduction in the incidence of glaucoma in pseudophakic eyes.

The epidemiology of pediatric glaucoma: the Toronto experience

BACKGROUND

This study was conceived to provide an insight into the spectrum of glaucoma in the pediatric population. We also set out to compare the success of disease control and the prognosis for vision within the different diagnostic subgroups. This is the largest single population of children with glaucoma that has been so described and compared.

METHODS

The charts of children who were first seen between birth and age 16 years and who attended the Hospital for Sick Children with any form of glaucoma between January 1974 and January 1995 were reviewed and entered into the study.

RESULTS

Data are presented for 306 children. Congenital glaucoma was the most common subtype, accounting for 38%. Patients with congenital glaucoma were young, had surgery, and had more operations than any other group except those with aniridia. Goniotomy offered a cure in 47.8% of the patients. A bimodal distribution reflected their visual performance. Patients with aphakic glaucoma, the next most prevalent group (20%), presented at an older age (4.5 years). Surgical intervention was performed in 50% of these children. Nearly all patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (80%) had surgery. The following glaucoma groups were associated with a poor visual outcome: aniridia, anterior segment developmental anomalies involving the cornea, uveitis with glaucoma other than steroid induced, retinopathy of prematurity, and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. Steroid-induced glaucoma and anterior segment dysgenesis, excluding Peters anomaly, had uniformly good outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The ability to control glaucoma in childhood and visual prognosis is highly variable. Particular diagnostic categories do consistently well and some do poorly.

Surgical results of secondary glaucomas in childhood

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe results of glaucoma surgeries performed at one institution over the past 20 years in children with aphakia, aniridia, anterior segment dysgenesis, and other secondary glaucomas.

DESIGN

The study design was a retrospective review.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-eight eyes of 40 patients were studied.

INTERVENTION

Trabeculectomy with or without mitomycin C, Molteno implantation, goniotomy, sclerostomy, endolaser cyclophotocoagulation, and cyclocryotherapy were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraocular pressure (IOP) control, defined as complete success (IOP < or = 21 without medications) or qualified success (IOP < or = 25 without medications or IOP < or = 21 with medications) and postoperative visual acuity stability were assessed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty surgical procedures were performed on 58 eyes of 40 patients; follow-up averaged 7.3 years. Intraocular pressure control was achieved in 40 (70%) of 57 eyes after 1 or more procedures. Intraocular pressure control and stabilization of visual acuity and optic disc appearance were achieved in 28 (51%) of 55 eyes. Five eyes had significant postoperative complications. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C controlled IOP on last visit in 8 of 13 eyes with aphakic glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical intervention can control IOP and prevent visual loss in children with secondary glaucomas. In the authors' experience, a filtering procedure is the most effective treatment in aphakic glaucoma and anterior segment dysgenesis.

Glaucoma and ocular hypertension in pediatric patients with cataracts

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in patients who have undergone surgical correction of their congenital cataracts remains undetermined. This study examines the prevalence of glaucoma and ocular hypertension in a population of patients who did not undergo surgical correction of their pediatric cataracts.

METHODS

Fifty-eight eyes of 41 patients had cataracts before 2.5 years of age and were followed up until at least 5 years of age without operative correction. The patients were studied for the following parameters: age at diagnosis, type of cataract, etiology, bilaterality, optic nerve head cup-to-disc ratio, intraocular pressures, and reason why the patient did not undergo an operation. Glaucoma was defined as the presence of glaucomatous optic nerve head cupping with intraocular pressures of greater than 22 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension was defined as intraocular pressures greater than 22 mm Hg with no optic nerve changes.

RESULTS

Nine of the 58 eyes had cataracts caused by persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. The average age to the last intraocular pressure measurement was 19 years (range 5 to 48 years). Closed-angle glaucoma developed in two patients with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. Neither open-angle glaucoma nor ocular hypertension developed in any patients.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric cataracts not of the persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous type were not associated with ocular hypertension or glaucoma in the absence of surgical cataract correction. In eyes with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous cataracts, spontaneous closed-angle glaucoma developed in two of nine patients and open-angle glaucoma developed in none. Surgical cataract correction, or the aphakic state that follows such operations, may be responsible for pediatric aphakic glaucoma.

Review of aphakic glaucoma after surgery for congenital cataract

This article describes the clinical presentation of glaucoma in eyes operated on for congenital cataract and reviews current theories as to its pathophysiology. The literature does not provide a conclusive explanation for the seeming increase in aphakic glaucoma in children. Long-term studies comparing like groups may help resolve this question.