Secondary glaucoma in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis-associated iridocyclitis.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence and management of glaucoma were evaluated in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)-associated iridocyclitis.


METHODS
The records of 69 patients with JRA-associated iridocyclitis were reviewed.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine (42%) of these patients had secondary glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Glaucoma was controlled with topical treatment in only 7 of the 41 affected eyes (17%); systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy resulted in control of another 8 eyes. Surgery controlled all but one of the remainder.


CONCLUSIONS
Glaucoma is a common complication of JRA-associated iridocyclitis. It results from prolonged, inadequately treated intraocular inflammation and in some instances, from steroid use. Medical and surgical therapy for the glaucoma associated with JRA-uveitis is challenging and incompletely effective. We suspect that a more aggressive approach to the treatment of JRA-associated uveitis, earlier in the course of the disease may reduce this vision robbing contribution to the process.
Foster
C S
CS
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston 02114, USA. fosters@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Havrlikova
K
K
Baltatzis
S
S
Christen
W G
WG
Merayo-Lloves
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D015995:Prevalence; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions