Medical Management of Children With Congenital/Infantile Cataract Associated With Microphthalmia, Microcornea, or Persistent Fetal Vasculature

Prevalence of Glaucoma Following Paediatric Cataract Surgery in an Australian Tertiary Referral Centre

Purpose

Secondary glaucoma following childhood cataract surgery remains the most common complication in the paediatric population. This study aimed to determine the incidence, time to progression and risk factors associated with the development of secondary glaucoma following childhood cataract surgery in a paediatric population. Outcome measures were the detection of secondary glaucoma, postoperative time frame to development of glaucoma and risk factors in its development.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective case series was conducted between 2003 and 2017 at a tertiary children's hospital in Sydney. The patient population included those 16 years or less of age who underwent congenital cataract extraction, with or without an intraocular lens implantation and who had been followed up for a minimum of six months following surgery. Patients were excluded if they had cataract aetiology other than congenital idiopathic cataract. Multivariate Cox Regression analysis was used to determine relevant risk factors.

Results

A total of 320 eyes in 216 patients were included in the study. Secondary glaucoma developed in 11.9% of eyes. In those that developed secondary glaucoma, the average time to onset from surgery was 3.2 years (median 2.75 years). The mean age of diagnosis of secondary glaucoma was 4.58 years (median 3.5 years, range 2.5 months to 13.23 years). Microcornea was the only adverse characteristic significantly associated with an increased risk of secondary glaucoma (HR 6.30, p 0.003).

Conclusion

Despite modern surgical techniques, glaucoma remains a significant long-term sequela in children following cataract surgery.

Management of Childhood Glaucoma Following Cataract Surgery

Glaucoma remains a frequent serious complication following cataract surgery in children. The optimal approach to management for 'glaucoma following cataract surgery' (GFCS), one of the paediatric glaucoma subtypes, is an ongoing debate. This review evaluates the various management options available and aims to propose a clinical management strategy for GFCS cases. A literature search was conducted in four large databases (Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science), from 1995 up to December 2021. Thirty-nine studies-presenting (1) eyes with GFCS; a disease entity as defined by the Childhood Glaucoma Research Network Classification, (2) data on treatment outcomes, and (3) follow-up data of at least 6 months-were included. Included papers report on GFCS treated with angle surgery, trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage device implantation (GDD), and cyclodestructive procedures. Medical therapy is the first-line treatment in GFCS, possibly to bridge time to surgery. Multiple surgical procedures are often required to adequately control GFCS. Angle surgery (360 degree) may be considered before proceeding to GDD implantation, since this technique offers good results and is less invasive. Literature suggests that GDD implantation gives the best chance for long-term IOP control in childhood GFCS and some studies put this technique forward as a good choice for primary surgery. Cyclodestruction seems to be effective in some cases with uncontrolled IOP. Trabeculectomy should be avoided, especially in children under the age of one year and children that are left aphakic. The authors provide a flowchart to guide the management of individual GFCS cases.

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.

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.