Changes in Inflammatory Activity after Glaucoma Filtration Surgery in Children with Chronic Anterior Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in inflammatory activity over time in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated anterior uveitis after two different types of glaucoma surgery.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 32 patients with JIA who had trabeculectomy (TE, 21 eyes) or Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGV, 11 eyes). Inflammatory activity and use of anti-inflammatory medication were evaluated 1 year prior to surgery and in the first, third, and fifth years after surgery.

RESULTS

In both groups IOP decreased significantly from pre-surgery to 2 years after surgery (TE, 31.1 ± 6.7 to 12.8 ± 6.1 mmHg, p<0.0001; AGV, 28.5 ± 8.5 to 14.9 ± 6.6 mmHg, p<0.001). In the TE group flare, anterior chamber cells, and uveitis activity decreased significantly after surgery, whereas with AGV there was no sustained reduction of flare.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of inflammation in JIA-associated uveitis is significantly reduced after trabeculectomy.