Evaluation of a Protocol for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Congenital Glaucoma in Tanta University Eye Hospital

Background: Primary congenital glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma in infancy. It manifests within the first few years of life and is not associated with any other systemic or ocular abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate a protocol for diagnosis and treatment of primary congenital glaucoma at Tanta University Eye Hospital.

Methods: The study was prospective interventional on 60 eyes of 36 infants and children who presented between December 2018 to March 2021 at Tanta University Eye Hospital in Egypt. All patients were presented with primary congenital glaucoma and were managed according to specific diagnostic, therapeutic and follow up regimen. Pre- and Post-operative clinical data were recorded, and results were studied.

Results: The mean of age±SD (range) at first presentation was 11.33±21.76 (0.5-120) months and of follow-up period was 7.85±2.71 (4-13) months. The mean of pre-operative IOP, corneal diameter, C/D ratio and AxL was 24.1±5.9 (12–41.5) mmHg, 12.97±0.69 (11–14.5) mm, 0.57±0.18 (0.2–0.9) and 21.87±1.28 (19.1–26.8) mm respectively, and post-operatively was 14.4±3.09 (8.5–20.5) mmHg, 12.71±0.89 (11–14.5) mm, 0.48±0.22 (0.2–1) and 22.16±1.53 (19–25.9) mm respectively. Surgical interventions included 1ry surgeries (trabeculotomy in 21 eyes and CTT with MMC in 39 eyes), 2ry surgeries (CTT with MMC in four eyes) and 3ry surgery (Ahmed valve implantation in one eye). Complete success was achieved in 38 eyes (63.3%) and qualified success in 22 eyes (36.7%).

Conclusions: The current protocol applied at Tanta University Eye Hospital for diagnosis and treatment of primary congenital glaucoma proved efficacy and safety. Primary surgical intervention in the form of trabeculotomy (for mild cases) and combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with MMC (for moderate to advanced cases) is a successful regimen for management of these eyes.