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Published on: February 15, 2022
Secondary intervention after failed initial intervention for primary congenital glaucoma
1Department of Ophtalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Insights
Subsequent glaucoma surgeries are often needed for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) cases that fail initial treatment. These repeat procedures demonstrate a success rate of approximately 70% in managing PCG.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
Background:
- Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a severe form of glaucoma presenting in infancy.
- Initial surgical interventions for PCG can fail, necessitating further treatment.
- Understanding outcomes of repeat surgeries is crucial for managing PCG.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of subsequent surgical interventions in eyes with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) that did not achieve success after the initial surgery.
- To determine the success rates and long-term outcomes of repeat glaucoma surgeries in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted on children diagnosed with PCG who underwent initial glaucoma surgery that failed.
- Data collected included patient demographics and clinical characteristics before and after surgery.
- Success was defined by intraocular pressure (IOP) below 16 mmHg, a reduction of IOP by at least 20%, and stable or improved optic nerve condition (cup-to-disc ratio).
Main Results:
- Of 531 eyes with PCG, 58 eyes (10.9%) required repeat glaucoma surgery after initial failure.
- The average number of glaucoma procedures per eye was 2.6.
- Subsequent surgeries achieved success in approximately 70% of cases, based on established IOP and optic nerve criteria.
Conclusions:
- Repeat glaucoma surgical procedures are necessary in a notable percentage of primary congenital glaucoma cases.
- Subsequent surgeries offer a favorable success rate, around 70%, providing a viable option for managing persistent PCG.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering repeat interventions for optimal long-term visual outcomes in PCG.
Aim:
To report on the outcome of subsequent interventions after failed initial intervention for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of children presenting with PCG and failed the initial glaucoma surgery in Alexandria Main University Hospital from 2005 to 2017. The data included demographics, preoperative, operative and postoperative clinical characteristics. Success was defined as IOP<16mmHg and <20% from the presenting IOP and C/D ratio like or better than presentation.
Results:
The charts of 531 (260 right, 49%) eyes of 360 (224 males, 62%) children presenting with PCG and failed the initial glaucoma surgery (58 [31 right, 53%] eyes [10.9%] of 50 [28 males, 56%] children) revealed that at initial presentation, the mean±standard deviation (range, median) of the age of the children subjected to one successful glaucoma procedure and the study children was 8.6±11.7 (0.6-109, 5.2) and 4.9±6.1 (0.5-34.4, 3.0) months, respectively. Each of the study eyes was subjected to 2.6±0.8 (2-5.2) glaucoma procedures. The mean±standard deviation (range, median) duration between the initial and second glaucoma surgery and the duration of follow-up was 6.9±7.8 (0.7-39,3.9) and 61.5±32.1 (12.0-139.1, 60.1) months, respectively. At the final follow-up visit success was reported in 41 (70.1%) eyes by IOP<16mmHg criterion, 39 (67.2%) eyes by IOP>20% reduction criterion and in 28 (out of 35 eyes, 80.0%) by the optic nerve condition (C/D ratio) criterion. Success by all 3 criteria was reported in 25 (out of 35 eyes, 71%) eyes.
Conclusions:
A repeat glaucoma surgical procedure maybe needed in up to 11% of operated PCG eyes, with the subsequent glaucoma surgical procedures being successful by about 70%.
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