Comparative assessment of different methods of congenital glaucoma surgical treatment considering patient’s age

Aim. To study the effectiveness of antihypertensive operations of trabeculotomy ab externo and sinus trabeculoectomy in our modification in patients with congenital glaucoma and to justify its application. Methods. The following surgeries were performed: trabeculotomy ab externo - on 57 eyes of 51 patients, sinus trabeculoectomy - on 46 eyes of 42 children, classic trabeculoectomy - on 23 eyes of 19 patients, and trabeculoectomy with elements of intrascleral autodrainage in our modification - on 23 eyes of 23 patients. Among them, 22 patients were younger than 1 month, aged from 1 to 6 months - 30, from 6 months to 1 year - 18, from 1 to 3 years - 15 and from 3 to 5 years old - 8 patients. Results. Long-lasting hypotension was achieved in 86.95% of patients after sinus trabeculoectomy, in 80.39% of patients after trabeculotomy ab externo. The best results were obtained in patients younger than 6 months. In the older age groups, antihypertensive effect of trabeculotomy ab externo markedly decreased and was only 50% at the age of 3-5 years. The results after sinus trabeculoectomy were comparable in all age groups. Conclusions. Trabeculotomy ab externo can be recommended as an operation of choice during the first months of life in congenital glaucoma patients, based on the characteristics of the anterior chamber angle.

Current Surgical Options for the Management of Pediatric Glaucoma

Currently, there are numerous choices for the treatment of pediatric glaucoma depending on the type of glaucoma, the age of the patient, and other particularities of the condition discussed in this review. Traditionally, goniotomy and trabeculotomy ab externo have been the preferred choices of treatment for congenital glaucoma, and a variety of adult procedures adapted to children have been utilized for other types of pediatric glaucoma with variable results and complications. More recently, seton implantations of different types have become more popular to use in children, and newer techniques have become available including visualized cannulation and opening of Schlemm’s canal, deep sclerectomy, trabectome, and milder more directed cyclodestructive procedures such as endolaser and transcleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation. This paper reviews the different surgical techniques currently available, their indications, results, and most common complications to allow the surgeon treating these conditions to make a more informed choice in each particular case. Although the outcome of surgical treatment in pediatric glaucoma has improved significantly, its treatment remains challenging.