The Management of Uveitic Glaucoma in Children

Uveitis in the Pediatric Population and Therapeutic Management: A Current Literature Review

Uveitis is an inflammatory disease that can lead to severe complications, including vision loss. The pediatric population is particularly at risk of developing complications, as uveitis in this age group often has idiopathic origins or is associated with systemic diseases that follow a severe course. This, coupled with unfavorable treatment outcomes, continues to be a challenge in pediatric ophthalmology. The cornerstone of uveitis treatment involves a therapeutic strategy that depends on the etiology, severity, and localization of the inflammation, as well as the patient's response to treatment and the presence of ocular complications. Patients who do not receive timely treatment face a significantly increased risk of experiencing a severe disease course. Understanding potential therapeutic options and their side effects is crucial in managing children with uveitis. Equally important is the continuous monitoring of the child's condition throughout the treatment process, due to the chronic and recurrent nature of uveitis in this demographic. The authors conducted a review of the current literature from 2018 to 2023 on the management and introduction of new therapeutic approaches for children with uveitis.

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in Uveitis-Related Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma

PRCIS

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) may be an effective first-line surgery for decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden in patients with uveitis-related ocular hypertension (OHT) or glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of GATT in lowering IOP in uveitis-related OHT or glaucoma.

METHODS

Retrospective case series that included patients with uveitis-related OHT or glaucoma who underwent GATT with or without concomitant cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation at 2 Canadian academic centres from July 2018 to May 2022. Primary outcomes were: complete (no medications) and qualified success (with medication), and failure defined as (1) IOP >21 mm Hg with maximal medical therapy, (2) the need for additional glaucoma procedure, (3) loss of light perception secondary to glaucoma, and (4) IOP <6 mm Hg for 3 months.

RESULTS

Twenty-one eyes from 18 patients were included with a mean preoperative IOP of 26.2 ± 7.3 mm Hg on 4.3 ± 0.7 classes of glaucoma drops. The average follow-up was 29.2 ± 17.6 months and 76% of eyes (n = 16) had reached at least 12 months of follow-up. At the 12-month follow-up visit, there was a significant decrease in average IOP by 9.9 ± 7.9 mm Hg (38%, P = 0.005) and a decrease of 1.9 in glaucoma medication classes ( P = 0.002). Of eyes, 14% achieved complete success, whereas 80% of eyes achieved qualified success. Six eyes failed (29%) and 5 patients (24%) required additional glaucoma surgery. The most common postoperative complication was hyphema (n = 9; 43%).

CONCLUSION

This small case series suggests that GATT may be an effective first-line surgery for decreasing IOP and medication burden in patients with uveitis-related OHT or glaucoma. Further studies with longer follow-ups should be conducted to assess its long-term outcomes.

Update on Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitic Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common and potentially blinding complication of uveitis. Many mechanisms are involved alone or in combination in the pathogenesis of uveitic glaucoma (UG). In terms of diagnostic evaluation, the effects of inflammatory activity in the retinal nerve fiber layer may be a source of bias in the interpretation of optical coherence tomography measurements. For the successful treatment of UG, the control of intraocular inflammation specific to the cause or anti-inflammatory treatment, combined with IOP management, is mandatory. The early institution of specific treatment improves the prognosis of UG associated with CMV. The young age of UG patients along with increased failure rates of glaucoma surgery in this group of patients warrants a stepwise approach. Conservative and conjunctival sparing surgical approaches should be adopted. Minimally invasive surgical approaches were proved to be effective and are increasingly being used in the management of UG along with the traditionally used techniques of trabeculectomy or tubes. This review aims to summarize the progress that recently occurred in the diagnosis and treatment of UG.

Effectiveness and Safety of Weekly Adalimumab for Non-Infectious Chronic Anterior Uveitis in Children

PURPOSE

Non-infectious chronic anterior uveitis (CAU) remains a therapeutic challenge. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of weekly dosing of adalimumab in children with non-infectious refractory CAU. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of children followed by non-infectious CAU treated with adalimumab were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 42 children with CAU, 27/42 (64.3%) were treated with adalimumab. Escalation to weekly dosing of adalimumab was necessary for 11/27 children (40.7%). After 3 and 6 months, 7/11 children (63.6%) met the composite endpoint of inflammation control improvement. Children requiring weekly adalimumab had initially more severe uveitis: anterior chamber cells (p = 0.02), aqueous flare (p = 0.02), and presence of macular edema (p = 0.007). No children had serious systemic side effects.

CONCLUSION

Weekly adalimumab in children with refractory CAU appears to be an effective and safe treatment for inflammation control and corticosteroid sparing, and an alternative before biologic switching. Controlled studies are needed.

PATHOGENESIS AND CURRENT METHODS OF TREATMENT OF SECONDARY UVEITIC GLAUCOMA. A REVIEW

Secondary uveitic glaucoma is a serious sight-threatening complication of intraocular inflammation (uveitis). It develops in approximately 10-20% of patients with uveitis (although this figure may be higher depending on the type of inflammation). It is more commonly associated with chronic forms of uveitis, especially anterior uveitis. Elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the development of secondary glaucoma arise as a direct or indirect consequence of uveitis, and may develop further in association with therapy for intraocular inflammation. Several types of uveitic glaucoma are distinguished according to the mechanism of development: open-angle secondary glaucoma (including steroid-induced secondary glaucoma), angle-closure secondary glaucoma, and a combination of both. It is necessary to determine the pathogenesis of uveitis and target the treatment of the inflammatory process according to it. Subsequently, it is necessary to determine the type of secondary glaucoma, which influences the choice of therapy. Compensation for IOP should be achieved as quickly as possible, before irreversible damage to the optic nerve and visual field occurs. In the first instance, we choose conservative pharmacological therapy. However, this therapy fails more often in secondary uveitic glaucoma than in primary open-angle glaucoma. For this reason, surgical or laser therapy is necessary for refractory glaucoma. Trabeculectomy remains the gold standard in surgical therapy for secondary uveitic glaucoma, but other surgical techniques can also be used (Ahmed drainage implants, goniotomy in the paediatric population, surgical iridectomy, and synechiae for angle closure etc.). The choice of method is individualised according to the clinical findings of the patient and previous ocular procedures. However, the main factor influencing the success and efficacy of filtration surgery is adequate therapy and control of the intraocular inflammatory process.

Clinical course and outcome in pediatric idiopathic chronic anterior uveitis

PURPOSE

To examine the clinical course and outcome in children with idiopathic chronic anterior uveitis (iCAU) and compare the results with age-matched children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-U).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Data regarding ocular complications, visual acuity, and systemic treatment were retrospectively collected for two patient groups that were matched regarding age and year of uveitis diagnosis. Outcome was evaluated using survival analysis.

RESULTS

The iCAU and JIA-U groups included 48 patients with 83 affected eyes and 48 patients with 73 affected eyes, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that iCAU was associated with a higher prevalence of posterior synechiae (adjusted hazard rate [aHR]: 3.63; P < 0.001) and cataract surgery (aHR: 2.90; P = 0.006). Baseline visual acuity was worse in the iCAU group compared to the JIA-U group (20/25 vs. 20/20, respectively; P < 0.001), but improved in the iCAU group after 5 years (20/20 vs. 20/20, respectively; P = 0.052). At the 5-year follow-up, the younger children with iCAU (≤8 years of age at diagnosis) had a higher prevalence of posterior synechiae (aHR: 2.56; P = 0.007), secondary glaucoma (aHR: 16.0; P = 0.020), and cataract surgery (aHR: 4.79; P = 0.004) compared to older children with iCAU (≥9 years at diagnosis).

CONCLUSIONS

Vision-threatening ocular complications are more common in children with iCAU compared to children with JIA-U, particularly in cases in which the onset of uveitis occurred at ≤8 years of age. However, the long-term vision of these children can be improved with adequate treatment.

Clinical features of childhood uveitis at a tertiary referral center in Southern Turkey

PURPOSE

To report the epidemiology, etiology, ocular characteristics, management, and visual outcomes of pediatric uveitis patients in Southern Turkey.

METHODS

The clinical records of pediatric patients with a diagnosis of uveitis under the age of 16 years and followed up longer than 6 months were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The study included 102 patients and 173 affected eyes. The mean age at presentation was 11.4 ± 3.7 years. Uveitis was predominantly bilateral (69.6%), anterior (45.1%), and chronic (58.8%). The leading diagnoses were idiopathic uveitis (38.2%), pars planitis (19.6%), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (14.7%). Infectious uveitis accounted for 12.7%, and toxoplasmosis was the most common cause (10.8%). At least one complication was observed in 76.3% of the eyes, and optic disk edema (37%) was the most frequent. Corticosteroids were used in 97.1% and systemic immunomodulatory agents in 49% of the patients. Ocular surgery was performed in 17.3% of the eyes, and cataract extraction was the most common (8.7%). The mean BCVA was 0.39 ± 0.66 LogMAR at baseline and 0.25 ± 0.53 LogMAR at the last recorded visit.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric uveitis is a challenging disease that requires meticulous management. Anterior uveitis is the most frequent form. Despite a changing trend for an increase in diagnostic variety, idiopathic cases still constitute the majority. A significant number of patients receive systemic therapy, develop complications, and require surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment might improve visual outcomes and reduce the risk of visual loss.

Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in Uveitic Glaucoma Secondary to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) is a minimally invasive ab interno procedure, performed with guidance of an illuminating microcatheter device (iTrack). The pathophysiology of raised intraocular pressure (IOP) in uveitic glaucoma is commonly due to increased resistance at the trabecular meshwork-Schlemm canal. By removing this resistance, GATT can potentially control the IOP. In addition, the ab interno approach avoids violating the conjunctiva and reduces the risk of complications including infection, leak, and hypotony. In this series, we discuss 3 uveitic glaucoma cases secondary to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that underwent GATT. Case 1 was a 16-year-old phakic female with a preoperative IOP of 25 to 33 mm Hg had 360-degree GATT; her IOP remained stable at 6 to 10 mm Hg over 14 months. Case 2 was a 23-year-old pseudophakic female with a preoperative IOP of 28 to 34 mm Hg had 180-degree GATT; her IOP reduced to 8 mm Hg over 10 months. Case 3 was an 8-year-old aphakic male with a preoperative IOP of 21 to 32 mm Hg had 360-degree GATT; his IOP remained stable at 13 to 15 mm Hg over 21 months. In our limited case series, GATT is very successful in controlling IOP in young uveitic patients with JIA by surgically targeting the underlying pathophysiology.