Serial axial length measurements in congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the utility of axial length measurements in the management of congenital glaucoma.

METHODS

Interventional case series. Twelve eyes of six consecutive patients with congenital glaucoma were followed with serial axial length measurements. The axial growth patterns were compared with the normal growth curve.

RESULTS

Eight (66.7%) of 12 eyes had initial axial lengths longer than the normal range, and 4 eyes (33.3%) were within the normal range. After surgical intervention with good intraocular pressure control in 10 eyes, 3 eyes showed a decrease of axial length and 7 eyes showed no decrease of axial length, but the axial growth pattern paralleled the normal growth curve. After surgical intervention with poor intraocular pressure control, 2 eyes had axial growth pattern greater than the normal pattern.

CONCLUSION

With intraocular pressure control in congenital glaucoma, axial length may decrease or the axial growth pattern may parallel the normal growth curve. Axial length measurements may be useful to monitor the control of congenital glaucoma.