Long-term risk of glaucoma after cataract surgery in childhood

Diana Chabané Schmidt*, Frank Eriksson, Daniella Bach-Holm, Karen Grønskov, Line Kessel

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the long-term risk of glaucoma after cataract surgery in childhood. Methods: This study took place from January 2022 until December 2022 and included patients from a large family with hereditary childhood cataract who had cataract surgery before 18 years of age. Patients underwent an ophthalmologic examination to determine the presence of glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT). Patients who did not want to participate in the examination could contribute with a medical journal from their treating ophthalmologist. The risk of long-term glaucoma was determined using survival analysis, and risk factors were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: We included 68 patients (133 eyes) with a median age at cataract surgery of 7 years (IQR: 5–10). The median follow-up time after cataract surgery to glaucoma/OHT or the latest ophthalmologic examination was 35 years (IQR: 15–48). Twelve patients (18 eyes) had glaucoma, and five patients (eight eyes) had OHT, resulting in 15 patients with glaucoma/OHT. The long-term risk of glaucoma/OHT diagnosed in adulthood was 47.7% (CI: 21.8–70.9) at the age of 70 years of patients who were free of glaucoma before their 18th year. We could not confirm or dismiss an association between glaucoma/OHT and sex, age at surgery, number of ocular interventions before 18 years of age or glaucoma after cataract surgery in a first-degree relative. Conclusion: Cataract surgery in childhood is associated with a high risk of late-onset glaucoma. Regular lifelong follow-up is important to ensure early diagnosis and prevent extensive vision loss.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Ophthalmologica
Volume106
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)667-673
Number of pages7
ISSN1755-375X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.

Keywords

  • childhood cataract
  • congenital cataract
  • glaucoma
  • Marner's cataract
  • paediatric cataract
  • secondary glaucoma

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