Primary juvenile glaucoma

Primary juvenile glaucoma is glaucoma that develops due to ocular hypertension and is evident either at birth or within the first few years of life.[1] It is caused due to abnormalities in the anterior chamber angle development that obstruct aqueous outflow in the absence of systemic anomalies or other ocular malformation.[2]

Primary juvenile glaucoma
SpecialtyOphthalmology 

Presentation

The typical infant who has congenital glaucoma usually is initially referred to an ophthalmologist because of apparent corneal edema. The commonly described triad of epiphora (excessive tearing), blepharospasm and photophobia may be missed until the corneal edema becomes apparent.[2]

Systemic associations

Two of the more commonly encountered disorders that may be associated with congenital glaucoma are Aniridia and Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Genetics

Some pedigrees suggest inherited primary congenital is autosomal dominant but three major autosomal recessive loci have been identified:

  • GLC3A – on chromosome 2 (2p21)
  • GLC3B – on chromosome 1 (1p36)
  • GLC3C – on chromosome 14 (14q24.3)

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is clinical. The intraocular pressure (IOP) can be measured in the office in a conscious swaddled infant using a Tonopen or hand-held Goldmann tonometer. Usually, the IOP in normal infants is in the range of 11-14 mmHg.[2] Buphthalmos and Haab's striae can often be seen in case of congenital glaucoma.

Differential diagnosis

Corneal cloudiness may have a myriad of causes. Corneal opacity that results from hereditary dystrophies is usually symmetric. Corneal enlargement may result from megalocornea, a condition in which the diameter of the cornea is larger than usual and the eye is otherwise normal.

Treatment

The preferred treatment of congenital glaucoma is surgical not medical. The initial procedures of choice are goniotomy or trabeculotomy if the cornea is clear, and trabeculectomy ab externo if the cornea is hazy. The success rates are similar for both procedures in patients with clear corneas. Trabeculectomy and shunt procedures should be reserved for those cases in which goniotomy or trabeculotomy has failed. Cyclophotocoagulation is necessary in some intractable cases but should be avoided whenever possible because of its potential adverse effects on the lens and the retina.[3]

Epidemiology

In the United States, the incidence of primary congenital glaucoma is about one in 10,000 live births. Worldwide, the incidence ranges from a low of 1:22,000 in Northern Ireland to a high of 1:2,500 in Saudi Arabia and 1:1,250 in Romania. In about two-thirds of cases, it is bilateral. The distribution between males and females varies with geography. In North America and Europe it is more common in boys, whereas in Japan it is more common in girls.[4]

Congenital glaucoma
  • Incidence: one in every 10000-15000 live births.
  • Bilateral in up to 80% of cases.
  • Most cases are sporadic (90%). However, in the remaining 10% there appears to be a strong familial component.

See also

References
  1. Wiggs, JL; Damji, KF; Haines, JL; Pericak-Vance, MA; Allingham, RR (Jan 1996). "The distinction between juvenile and adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma". American Journal of Human Genetics. 58 (1): 243–4. PMC 1914955. PMID 8554064.
  2. Yanoff, Myron; Duker, Jay S. (2009). Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Mosby Elsevier. ISBN 9780323043328.
  3. Basic and clinical science course (2011–2012). Glaucoma. American Academy of Ophthalmology. ISBN 978-1615251179.
  4. Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Congenital Glaucoma Archived 2014-10-19 at the Wayback Machine

Further reading
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