Prevalence of Uveitic Secondary Glaucoma and Success of Nonsurgical Treatment in Adults and Children in a Tertiary Referral Center

Carsten Heinz MDab*, Jörg M. Koch MDa, Beatrix Zurek-Imhoffa & Arnd Heiligenhaus MDaba Department of Ophthalmology, St. Franziskus-Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germanyb Department of Ophthalmology, University Duisburg Essen, Essen, Germany* Correspondence: Carsten Heinz, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, St. Franziskus-Hospital Muenster, Hohenzollernring 74, 48145, Muenster, GermanyPurpose: The aim of this study is to compare treatment strategies, the success of topical and systemic therapy, and the need for glaucoma surgery in children and adults with secondary uveitic glaucoma. Methods: Retrospective observational case series with 1997 consecutive new uveitis patients. Results: Overall, 176 patients (8.8%) suffered from secondary glaucoma (n = 126) or ocular hypertension (n = 50). All patients received topical therapy, and 107 (62%) patients also received systemic glaucoma therapy. Topical therapy was successful (IOP ≤ 21 mmHg) in 24% of adults and 26% of children. Surgery was required in 59% of children and in 35% of adults (p =.02). The number of surgical interventions differed per patient with 2.6 procedures in children compared to 1.6 procedures in adults (p <.001). Conclusions: Only a limited number of patients with secondary uveitic glaucoma can be sufficiently controlled with topical and systemic antiglaucomatous therapy alone. There is a significantly higher need for glaucoma operations in children.