Confirmation of Uveal Effusion in Eyes With Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma: An Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Study

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

To determine prevalence of uveal effusion in primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

 

Methods:

 

In this prospective observational case series, 74 consecutive patients diagnosed with PACG were enrolled; 28 were newly diagnosed untreated eyes and 46 were eyes that had previous laser iridotomy (LI) and were being followed-up. Twenty normal eyes served as controls. Newly diagnosed PACG eyes underwent UBM before and after LI, while control and treated PACG eyes had UBM at the time of enrolment. Uveal effusion was defined as a clear hypoechogenic space between the choroid and sclera. Grading was as follows: grade 0 (none), grade 1 (slit-like), grade 2 (band-like), and grade 3 (obvious).

 

Results:

 

Overall, uveal effusion was found in 11/74 PACG eyes (14.8%, 95% C.I., 8.3-24.8%) and in none of the controls. Effusion was found in 4/28 (14.2%, 95% C.I., 5.1-32.1%) eyes with newly diagnosed PACG before LI. However, only 2 eyes had effusion after LI. 7/46 (15.2%, 95% C.I., 7.2-28.5%) previously treated PACG eyes had uveal effusion. The effusion in all cases was Grade 1.

 

Conclusions:

 

Sub-clinical uveal effusion was present in about 15% of chronic PACG eyes, confirming a recent report of this finding. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the role of uveal effusion in angle closure glaucoma.  

 

Keywords: uvea