Late-onset glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery: Occurrence, visual acuity and risk factors: A 37-year longitudinal follow-up

Timing of Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma following Infantile Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE

To report timing of diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS) in a large cohort of infants undergoing cataract surgery at a tertiary care center.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

All consecutive infants that underwent cataract surgery over a 30-year period from January 1991 to December 2021 were included if they had at least 1 year follow-up.

METHODS

The data collection included age at time of cataract surgery, presence of associated ocular or systemic conditions, age at diagnosis of GFCS, and treatment required to control GFCS. Glaucoma diagnosis required intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21 mmHg on > 2 visits with glaucomatous optic nerve head changes and/or visual field changes, or in young children, other anatomic changes such as corneal enlargement or haze or accelerated axial elongation and myopic shift.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The incidence of GFCS was calculated. Linear regression was performed to assess the effect of age at time of cataract surgery. Analysis of risk factors and treatment modalities was performed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-three eyes (260 patients) were analyzed. Median age at surgery was 52 days and median follow-up, 8 years. Glaucoma following cataract surgery was noted in 27% (104/383 eyes; median age at surgery, 45 days; median follow-up, 13 years.) Young age at surgery (< 3 months) was the greatest risk factor (P = 0.001) but the incidence was similar for infants operated in the first, second, or third month of life (25%, 36%, 40%, respectively, P = 0.4). Microcornea (41%, P < 0.0001), poorly dilating pupils (25%, P = 0.001), persistent fetal vasculature (PFV, 13%; P = 0.8), or anterior segment dysgenesis (3%, P = 0.02) were considered as additional risk factors. Surgical intervention was needed for 73% (24/33) eyes with early-onset GFCS compared with 14% (10/71) eyes with later-later onset GFCS (P < 0.0001). Medical treatment was effective in 86% with later-onset GFCS (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of GFCS was 27%, and timing of diagnosis occurred in a bimodal fashion. Early-onset GFCS usually requires surgical intervention; medical treatment is effective for later-onset GFCS. Cataract surgery within the first 3 months of life, microcornea, and poorly dilating pupils were major risk factors.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Long-term risk of glaucoma after cataract surgery in childhood

PURPOSE

To examine the long-term risk of glaucoma after cataract surgery in childhood.

METHODS

This study took place from January 2022 until December 2022 and included patients from a large family with hereditary childhood cataract who had cataract surgery before 18 years of age. Patients underwent an ophthalmologic examination to determine the presence of glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT). Patients who did not want to participate in the examination could contribute with a medical journal from their treating ophthalmologist. The risk of long-term glaucoma was determined using survival analysis, and risk factors were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

We included 68 patients (133 eyes) with a median age at cataract surgery of 7 years (IQR: 5-10). The median follow-up time after cataract surgery to glaucoma/OHT or the latest ophthalmologic examination was 35 years (IQR: 15-48). Twelve patients (18 eyes) had glaucoma, and five patients (eight eyes) had OHT, resulting in 15 patients with glaucoma/OHT. The long-term risk of glaucoma/OHT diagnosed in adulthood was 47.7% (CI: 21.8-70.9) at the age of 70 years of patients who were free of glaucoma before their 18th year. We could not confirm or dismiss an association between glaucoma/OHT and sex, age at surgery, number of ocular interventions before 18 years of age or glaucoma after cataract surgery in a first-degree relative.

CONCLUSION

Cataract surgery in childhood is associated with a high risk of late-onset glaucoma. Regular lifelong follow-up is important to ensure early diagnosis and prevent extensive vision loss.