Conversion to Glaucoma After Ocular Trauma in Pediatric Patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Outcomes for pediatric glaucoma suspects with ocular trauma history are largely unknown.
• This study focuses on the conversion rate to glaucoma in this specific patient group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of glaucoma development in pediatric patients with a history of ocular trauma.
• To compare outcomes between open-globe and closed-globe injuries in pediatric glaucoma suspects.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of pediatric patients (2005-2016) with ocular trauma monitored as glaucoma suspects.
• Inclusion criteria: history of open- or closed-globe trauma.
• Data collected on injury type, treatment, and glaucoma development.

Main Results:

• 62 eyes from 62 pediatric patients were analyzed; 46.8% open-globe, 53.2% closed-globe injuries.
• Eyes with closed-globe injuries had higher rates of topical therapy for ocular hypertension (36.4% vs. 10.3%).
• Five eyes (8.1%) developed glaucoma, all with prior closed-globe injuries; 4 required glaucoma surgery. Most post-traumatic glaucoma cases (60%) had concurrent intraocular surgeries.

Conclusions:

• All pediatric glaucoma cases following trauma in this cohort resulted from closed-globe injuries.
• No cases of open-globe injury in pediatric glaucoma suspects progressed to glaucoma.
• Injury type significantly impacts glaucoma development risk in pediatric ocular trauma patients.