Occurrence and management of ocular hypertension and secondary glaucoma in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis: An observational series of 104 patients

AIMS To describe the development and management of ocular hypertension (OHT) and secondary glaucoma (SG) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS A series of 104 patients with newly diagnosed JIA and associated uveitis was collected in 1989-1996. A re-evaluation was made after mean 9.7 years (range 0.8-15.6 years) follow-up. OHT was diagnosed if intraocular pressure (IOP) had been >/=22 mmHg for longer than 3 months or when a single IOP was >/=30 mmHg despite normal visual field and optic disc. SG was diagnosed in a patient who had optic disc changes and/or visual field defects compatible with glaucoma. RESULTS OHT or SG developed in 14 patients (14%, 22 eyes). IOP was under control (<22 mmHg) in 2 patients without treatment and in 3 patients with medication. Filtering surgery was performed in 9 patients, 5 of them needed additional glaucoma medication. The binocular visual acuity was 0.5 or better in all patients; in five eyes vision was less than 0.5, but no eye blinded. CONCLUSION OHT or SG in JIA patients with uveitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, but if the medical and surgical treatment is timed correctly, the sight can be saved in most patients.