title: Visual acuity outcomes in pediatric glaucomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the visual acuity prognosis in the various pediatric glaucoma subtypes and to determine risk factors for vision loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of pediatric glaucoma patients from 2000 to 2010 at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia were retrospectively reviewed. Visual acuities, surgeries, glaucoma subtype, and etiology of vision impairment were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for visual impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 133 eyes (36.8% primary congenital glaucoma, 28.6% aphakic glaucoma, 12.0% glaucoma associated with anterior segment dysgenesis, 12.0% Sturge-Weber glaucoma) of 88 patients were included. At last follow-up (median length, 5 years), 46.6% eyes achieved excellent (≥20/70) visual acuity. Of the glaucoma subtypes, primary congenital glaucoma conferred the best visual prognosis, with 69.4% eyes with excellent (≥20/70) visual acuity at final follow-up. Factors most associated with visual impairment (<20/200) were unilateral disease, multiple surgeries, poor vision at diagnosis, and other ocular comorbidities. The most common primary etiology for vision impairment was amblyopia (54.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with glaucoma early in life appear to have a better visual acuity prognosis than previously reported, with those with primary congenital glaucoma faring better than other glaucoma subtypes. Recognition of risk factors for visual impairment can better guide clinical management and counseling of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Scheie Eye Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. monica.ralli@gmail.com
authors.forename: Monica R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Khitri
authors.forename: Monte D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Gui-Shuang
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Stefanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Graham E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Quinn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D032801:Iridectomy; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*