Long-term functional and structural outcomes in patients with primary congenital glaucoma-A Danish nationwide study

PURPOSE

Evaluation of long-term functional and structural outcomes in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) based on visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF) using standard automated perimetry, and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFL).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients diagnosed with PCG in Denmark from 1977 to 2016. Severe vision loss was defined as VA <6/60 and/or VF >20 decibels (dB). Prognostic factors were evaluated in a correlation matrix.

RESULTS

The median age of the 94 patients (153 PCG eyes) was 12 years (IQR 9-16). In PCG eyes 62% had VA ≥6/18 but 22% had <6/60. VA in the better seeing eye was ≥6/18 in 90% and <6/60 in 5%. VF was measured in 59 PCG eyes and the median mean defect was 5.1 dB (IQR 2.1-9.6) with 52% better than 6 dB and 9% worse than 20 dB. Generalized pRNFL was reduced below the age-expected 1st percentile in 29% of the 58 PCG eyes where pRNFL was measured. Poor VA, poor VF and reduced pRNFL were all correlated (p = 0.0001). More surgeries (p < 0.0001) and longer diagnostic delay (p = 0.004) were associated with poorer vision and to a lesser degree with poor VF pRNFL.

CONCLUSION

In Denmark, most patients with bilateral PCG retain VA ≥6/18 in the better seeing eye. Poor VA was associated with poor VF. Longer diagnostic delay and more surgeries were associated with a poorer prognosis.

Basal evaluation and rates of progression based on visual fields in six different glaucoma types of a large population

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to analyze the distribution of visual field (VF) mean defect (MD) in six subgroups of glaucoma patients at baseline and follow-up.

METHODS

We assessed glaucoma patients treated in a Spanish tertiary care setting with a follow-up of at least 10 months. We have included 1036 visual fields and the following glaucoma subtypes: open-Angle Glaucoma (OAG); Angle-Closure Glaucoma (ACG); Congenital Glaucoma (CG); Ocular hypertension (OHT); Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma (PSXG); Pigmentary Glaucoma (PG). We have calculated the baseline MD and the progression MD. We have stratified the MD progression in slow (MD rate > -0.5 dB/year); moderate (MD rate between -0.5 and -1 dB/year) fast (MD rate between -1 and -2 dB/year) and catastrophic (<-2 dB/year) progression and their glaucoma subtype.

RESULTS

The glaucoma types with the worse baseline MD were CG and PG. We found significant differences after comparing the baseline MD of CG and OAG, ACG, OHT and between PG and OHT. Concerning the MD progression rate: OAG 73.54% showed slow MD progression rate; 9.85% fast; 7.3% moderate and 9.3% catastrophic. ACG 82.22% slow; 8.89% moderate; 2.22% fast and 6.67% catastrophic. CG 68.83% slow; 9.09% fast; 7.79% moderate and 14.29% catastrophic. OHT 88.6% slow; 6.14% moderate; 4.39% fast and 0.88% catastrophic. PSXG 63.24% slow, 13.24% moderate; 8.8% fast and 14.7% catastrophic. PG 89.29% slow; 3.57% moderate and 7.1% fast.

CONCLUSIONS

The CG requires special attention because of its aggressive presentation and progression.

Profile of Newly Diagnosed Childhood Glaucoma in India: Indian Childhood Glaucoma Study (ICGS) Group 1

OBJECTIVE

To report the profile of newly diagnosed childhood glaucoma using the Childhood Glaucoma Research Network (CGRN) classification, presenting over 1 year from across centers in India.

DESIGN

Prospective observational multicentric study.

SUBJECTS

Newly diagnosed children aged < 18 years diagnosed with childhood glaucoma according to CGRN criteria presenting between January and December 2019 to 13 centers across India.

METHODS

All children underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, including examination under anesthesia for younger children, and were diagnosed with childhood glaucoma as per CGRN. Data were entered in a standard Excel chart. Refraction and visual acuity assessments were done when feasible.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The profile of newly diagnosed childhood glaucoma in different parts of India and the severity of glaucoma at presentation.

RESULTS

A total of 1743 eyes of 1155 children fulfilled the definition of glaucoma and were analyzed. Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) comprised the single largest group (34.4%), most of which were infantile onset (19%). Neonatal-onset PCG comprised 6.2% of all glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma constituted 53.4% of all glaucoma, one-half of which were acquired conditions (28%), followed by isolated ocular anomalies (14.7%), glaucoma after cataract surgery (6.7%), and glaucoma with nonacquired systemic diseases (4.5%). Of the 1743 eyes with glaucoma, all 3 parameters for severity grading were available in 842 eyes, of which 501 (59.5%) eyes presented with mild, 320 (38%) with moderate, and 21 (2.5%) with severe glaucoma. Nearly one-third of the children (28.5%) were not brought back for follow-up after the initial treatment given.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has one of the largest numbers of consecutive children with glaucoma classified according to the CGRN classification. Despite a widely diverse population, the profile of childhood glaucoma was relatively uniform across India. Childhood glaucoma is a significant problem in India, primarily treated in tertiary care hospitals. The data presented may be the tip of the iceberg because we have only reported the children who reached the hospitals offering treatment for this challenging disease.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Distribution of TGFBI variants in patients with early onset glaucoma

Purpose

To describe a novel association of TGFBI variants with congenital glaucoma in a family with GAPO (growth retardation, alopecia, pseudoanodontia, and progressive optic atrophy) syndrome, as well as among other unrelated cases of juvenile onset open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) and primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).

Methods

This study of one family of GAPO with congenital glaucoma and three unrelated patients with JOAG analyzed a common link to glaucoma pathogenesis. Three girls with GAPO syndrome born to consanguineous parents in a multi-generation consanguineous family were identified. Two of the girls had congenital glaucoma in both eyes, while the elder sibling (a 10-year-old female) had features of GAPO syndrome without glaucoma.

Results

A genetic evaluation using whole exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous ANTXR1 mutation in all three affected siblings with GAPO. No other mutations were detected in the genes associated with glaucoma. A rare missense variant in the TGFBI gene was shared in the two siblings with congenital glaucoma and GAPO syndrome. We found three other unrelated patients with JOAG and one patient with primary congenital glaucoma with no known glaucoma causing gene mutations, but having four different missense variants in the TGFBI gene. One of these patients with JOAG had familial granular corneal dystrophy. Molecular dynamic simulations of TGFBI and 3-D structural models of three of its variants showed significant alterations that could influence TGFBI protein function.

Conclusions

The possibility that variations in the TGFBI gene could have a possible role in the pathogenesis of congenital and juvenile onset open-angle glaucomas needs further evaluation.

Use of ultrasound biomicroscopy to predict the outcome of anterior segment reconstruction in congenital fibrovascular pupillary membrane with secondary glaucoma

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anterior segment reconstruction (ASR) in congenital fibrovascular pupillary membrane-induced secondary glaucoma (CFPMSG) basing ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) classification.

METHODS

This ambispective cohort study enrolled patients with CFPMSG who underwent ASR between January 2014 and September 2020. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and UBM were performed before surgery and postoperatively. The patients were classified into three types according to the UBM configurations. Anterior chamber recovery (ACR) was defined as deepening in anterior chamber (≥1.5 mm all through final follow-up (FFU), while success following ASR was defined as ACR and intraocular pressure (IOP)≤21 mm Hg.

RESULTS

25 eyes of 25 patients underwent ASR (average age at operation 5.8±5.0 months, 48% girls) with FFU 15.8±16.9 months. Enrolled subjects were classified into type Ⅰ (11 eyes), type Ⅱ (11 eyes) and type Ⅲ (3 eyes). After ASR, 23 eyes (92%) achieved ACR, and the mean ACD increased in all groups (p=0.006, <0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Eyes with types Ⅰ and Ⅱ demonstrated a reduction of IOP (p=0.009 and 0.002, respectively). ASR success rate was highest in type Ⅰ (72.9%) compared with types Ⅱ and Ⅲ (18.2% and 0%, respectively; p=0.011). ASR led to decreased number of antiglaucoma medications for type Ⅰ CFPMSG at FFU (p=0.016). No vision-threatening postoperative complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

ASR for CFPMSG results in increased ACD and improvement in IOP. Postoperative IOP control was best in type Ⅰ CFPMSG but not as effective in types Ⅱ and Ⅲ. UBM-based classification helps to predict the surgical outcome of ASR in CFPMSG.

Glaucoma in a patient with Singleton-Merten syndrome

A 2-year-old girl presented for evaluation of glaucoma suspect status. Despite her lack of buphthalmia, her clear corneas, and absence of Haab's striae, she was found to have an intraocular pressure of 45 mm Hg in the right eye and 47 mm Hg in the left eye and significant optic nerve cupping. Both eyes were initially treated with goniotomies, trabeculotomies, and later Baerveldt glaucoma implants. She was diagnosed with Singleton-Merten syndrome from a DDX58 pathogenic variant, with congenital glaucoma, juvenile progressive high myopia, hypoplastic nails, and abnormal dentition.

Association of Neighborhood Environment with the Outcomes of Childhood Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To determine the association between different neighborhood environment factors and the outcomes of childhood glaucoma.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

Childhood glaucoma patients ≤ 18 years of age at the time of diagnosis.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of childhood glaucoma patients who presented to Boston Children's Hospital between 2014 and 2019. Data collected included etiology, intraocular pressure (IOP), management, and visual outcomes. Child Opportunity Index (COI) was used as a metric of neighborhood quality.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

The association of visual acuity (VA) and IOP with COI scores using linear mixed-effect models, adjusting for individual demographics.

RESULTS

A total of 221 eyes (149 patients) were included. Of these, 54.36% were male and 56.4% were non-Hispanic Whites. The median age at the time of presentation was 5 months for primary glaucoma and 5 years for secondary glaucoma. The median age at the last follow-up was 6 and 13 years for primary and secondary glaucoma, respectively. A chi-square test revealed that the COI, health and environment, social and economic, and education indexes between primary and secondary glaucoma patients were comparable. For primary glaucoma, the overall COI and a higher education index were associated with a lower final IOP (P < 0.05), and higher education index was associated with a lower number of glaucoma medications at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). For secondary glaucoma, higher overall COI, health and environment, social and economic, and education indices were associated with better final VA (lower logarithms of the minimum angle of resolution VA) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neighborhood environment quality is a potentially important variable for predicting outcomes in childhood glaucoma. Lower COI scores were associated with worse outcomes.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Retinal injury identified by overhead-mounted optical coherence tomography in two young children with infantile-onset glaucoma

PURPOSE

To report and characterize unexpected retinal findings identified by imaging with overhead-mounted optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 2 young children with infantile-onset glaucoma.

METHODS

Children with glaucoma were imaged during clinically indicated examinations under anesthesia using overhead-mounted HRA+OCT Spectralis with Flex module (Flex-OCT, Heidelberg, Germany) from February 2017 through February 2022. Imagers prioritized scans of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), optic nerve head, and macula. Children imaged before age 2 years with images adequate for evaluation were included. Age at glaucoma diagnosis, glaucoma type, highest intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal diameter (CD), and axial length (AL) were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 41 children (71 eyes with glaucoma) were imaged before age 2 years. Macular imaging identified both inner and outer retinal thinning in 3 eyes of 2 young children (both eyes of a child with newborn primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and 1 eye of a child with glaucoma following cataract surgery), which remained stable over time. These findings were present in 2 of 41 children (4.9%) and 3 of 71 eyes (4.2%) imaged with Flex-OCT. Neither highest IOP, CD, nor AL at imaging differentiated the 3 eyes with retinal changes from the larger group.

CONCLUSIONS

Three eyes of 2 young children with refractory glaucoma of different etiologies and highly elevated IOP demonstrated areas of inner and outer retinal thinning, consistent with retinal injury from probable prior macular ischemia. Unexpected retinal pathology identified on Flex-OCT imaging in infantile-onset glaucomas highlights the need for continued study of the pathophysiology of this disease.

Wide-field Fundus Imaging and Fluorescein Angiography Findings in Various Pseudoretinoblastoma Conditions

PURPOSE

To report wide-field fundus imaging and fluorescein angiography findings in conditions mimicking retinoblastoma (pseudoretinoblastoma).

METHODS

The clinical and imaging records of 28 patients (36 eyes) imaged with RetCam 3 (Clarity Medical Systems, Inc) wide-field fundus photography and fluorescein angiography who were diagnosed as having various pseudoretinoblastoma disorders between February 2020 and August 2021 were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Most patients were referred with suspicion of retinoblastoma. Other patients had unresolved eye conditions and received initial treatment elsewhere and they were referred later for exclusion of retinoblastoma. On RetCam fundus photography and fluorescein angiography, pseudoretinoblastoma conditions were diagnosed as Coats disease (9 eyes), congenital glaucoma (3 eyes), persistent fetal vasculature (3 eyes), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (2 eyes), retinopathy of prematurity (2 eyes), myelinated retinal nerve fibers (2 eyes), optic nerve hypoplasia (2 eyes), oculocutaneous albinism (2 eyes), meridional fold (2 eyes), combined hamartoma of retina and retinal pigment epithelium (2 eyes), grouped congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (1 eye), retinal astrocytic hamartoma (1 eye), morning glory syndrome (1 eye), optic glioma (1 eye), giant choroidal nevus (1 eye), vasculitis (1 eye), and chorioretinitis (1 eye). RetCam imaging and fluorescein angiography demonstrated telangiectasias, microaneurysms, submacular exudation/fibrosis, capillary non-perfusion, and exudation posterior to telangiectasias in Coats disease. Hypofluorescent optic discs, peripheral non-perfusion, and vascular leakage were observed in congenital glaucoma. Large areas of capillary non-perfusion, poor foveal morphology/formation, elongated ciliary processes with hyperfluorescent central core, and hyperfluorescent fibrovascular stalk at the posterior pole were hallmarks of persistent fetal vasculature.

CONCLUSIONS

RetCam wide-field fundus imaging and fluorescein angiography play an important role in the diagnosis of conditions simulating retinoblastoma. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(1):60-74.].

Newborn glaucoma: a neglected manifestation of Congenital rubella Syndrome

PURPOSE

To study the frequency of intrauterine rubella infection in a cohort of neonatal-onset glaucoma and its effect on the treatment outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Infants with neonatal-onset glaucoma presenting to the pediatric glaucoma service at a tertiary care centre in northern India at Chandigarh between 1^st January and 30^th September 2018 with a minimum postoperative follow-up of one year were included in this study. Rubella-IgM antibodies were tested in all patients. Surgery for intraocular pressure (IOP) control comprised combined trabeculotomy-with-trabeculectomy or goniotomy. Presenting features and treatment outcomes at one year were compared among babies with and without rubella-IgM antibodies.

RESULTS

Of twenty-seven eligible infants, 7(25.9%) were rubella-IgM positive, and all had bilateral glaucoma. One eye in a rubella-positive baby was an unsightly blind eye and required a prosthesis. 13 eyes of 7 patients were compared to thirty-four eyes of 20 rubella-negative patients. There was no significant difference in mean age and IOP at presentation. Rubella-positive babies had significantly more opaque corneas (p< 0.001), shorter eyes (p<0.001) and smaller corneal diameters (p=0.007) at presentation. Two patients in the rubella group had bilateral cataracts, 3 had heart disease, and 1 had sensorineural deafness. Salt-and-pepper-retinopathy was noted in both rubella positive babies where fundus evaluation was possible. Despite comparable IOP control (p=0.51), the corneal clarity remained significantly worse in the rubella-positive patients (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Twenty-five percent of newborn glaucoma had underlying intrauterine rubella infection thus making them susceptible for development of congenital rubella syndrome. Neonatal-onset glaucoma is an important component of congenital rubella syndrome, which may present without buphthalmos and persistent corneal clouding despite good IOP control.

Comparative Evaluation of Rebound and Perkins Tonometers in Pediatric Glaucoma With Varied Corneal Characteristics

PRECIS

Icare tonometer overestimated intraocular pressure (IOP) as compared with Perkins and this variation was higher in IOP>19 mm Hg and corneal opacity in patients with pediatric glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To compare the IOP measured by Icare ic200 with Perkins tonometer in pediatric glaucoma with different corneal characteristics.

METHODS

Patients of pediatric glaucoma posted for routine examination under anesthesia, age below 12 years were enrolled. All patients underwent IOP measurement with Perkins and Icare ic200 tonometer by the same observer. Basic demographic data and other relevant clinical data were recorded. Central corneal thickness (CCT), horizontal corneal diameter, and corneal characteristics such as cornea clarity was recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 194 eyes of 105 patients were analyzed. The difference between Perkins and Icare IOP was -0.816 mm Hg with the Bland-Altman plot 95% limits of agreement (LoA) from -11.194 to 9.562 mm Hg and 5.1% (10) values lying outside LoA. At IOP <19 mm Hg, the difference was -0.65 mm Hg and IOP ≥19 mm Hg, the difference was higher, -1.12 mm Hg. In the clear cornea group (123 eyes), the difference in IOP by 2 tonometers was -0.776 mm Hg with the Bland-Altman plot 95% LoA between -10.679 and 9.128 mm Hg. In hazy corneas (36 eyes), the difference in IOP was 0.531 mm Hg. The Bland-Altman plot showed 95% LoA between -6.242 and 7.303 mm Hg. In the scarred cornea group (35 eyes), the difference in IOP between the 2 was -2.343 mm Hg and the Bland-Altman plot showed wide 95% LoA from -16.302 to 11.616 mm Hg.

CONCLUSION

Icare tonometer overestimated IOP as compared with Perkins and this variation was higher in eyes with IOP≥19 mm Hg, CCT >615 μm, and scarred corneas. A moderate correlation between IOP and CCT for both tonometers was noted.

First observation of secondary childhood glaucoma in Coffin-Siris syndrome: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Severe congenital ophthalmological malformations and glaucoma might be an important occasional feature in patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS), especially Coffin-Siris syndrome 9 (CSS9, OMIM #615866) caused by SOX11 mutation. Recently, primary (open-angle) glaucoma was described in two children with the most common form of Coffin-Siris syndrome, CSS1 (OMIM #135900) by ARID1B (AT-rich interaction domain-containing protein 1B) gene mutation. In this article, we present the first report of glaucoma with Coffin-Siris syndrome 9 as well as the first report of secondary glaucoma with any form of Coffin-Siris syndrome. These findings indicate that secondary glaucoma is an occasional finding in patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome.

CASE PRESENTATION

A child with secondary childhood glaucoma and additional ocular manifestations was evaluated and treated at the childhood glaucoma centre in Mainz, Germany. Examination under general anaesthesia revealed ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) (Peters type iridocorneal dysgenesis) in combination with congenital limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), aniridia, and cataract. The patient also had multiple other congenital anomalies and severe developmental delay. To explain his combination of anomalies, molecular genetic analysis from peripheral blood was performed in late 2018 and early 2019. Following normal findings with a panel diagnostic of 18 genes associated with congenital glaucoma, whole exome sequencing was performed and revealed a novel likely pathogenic heterozygous variant c.251G>T, p.(Gly84Val) in the SOX11 gene (SRY-related HMG-box gene 11). The variant had occurred de novo. Thus, the multiple congenital anomalies and developmental delay of the patient represented Coffin-Siris syndrome 9 (CSS9, OMIM #615866).

CONCLUSIONS

When eye diseases occur in combination with other systemic features, genetic analysis can be seminal. Results indicate that glaucoma is an occasional feature of patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome. As early treatment may improve the visual outcome of patients with glaucoma, we suggest that patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome should receive specific ophthalmological screening.

Idiopathic glaucoma in an 11-year-old crossbred mare

An 11-year-old crossbred mare was presented with left eye buphthalmia, a mydriatic minimally responsive pupil, locally extensive ventral corneal edema, and corneal striae. Intraocular pressures exceeding 80 mmHg lead to a presumptive diagnosis of glaucoma. Following several days of treatment there was no improvement and enucleation was performed.