Abstract
Purpose: :
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of congenital glaucoma in the premature infant population seen at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C.
Methods: :
This was a retrospective study of all patients seen from 1997 to 2005 in the pediatric ophthalmology service at Howard University Hospital. These patients were referred to the service for initial screenings for retinopathy of prematurity. Patients were evaluated for the presence of both congenital glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity. Characteristics evaluated included intraocular pressure at diagnosis, cup/disc ratio, angle evaluation, corneal diameter, stage of retinopathy of prematurity, treatment recieved and follow–up. Patient characteristics such as maternal risk factors, age, birth weight, complications of pregnancy, exposure to oxygen were also evaluated.
Results: :
5 patients out of 242 patients evaluated on the pediatric service were found to have congenital glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity. The incidence (2%) was significantly higher than that of congenital glaucoma found in the general population. Stages of ROP varied from Stage 1 to 4. Age of patients vaired from 24–29 weeks. Weights of the patient varied between 500 and 1200 grams.Corneal diameter varied from 10–13 mm. Most importantly, 4/5 patients were found to have an abnormal angle during examination under general anesthesia.
Conclusions: :
The incidence of congenital glaucoma in the premature neonate population is significantly higher that the incidence commonly found in the general population. These results have important embryological implications for the cause of congenital glaucoma. Neonates that were premature are at a higher risk of this developmental abnormality. This may point to a termination of the development of the trabecular meshwork or angle in this premature population.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • retinal development • anterior chamber