The spontaneous resolution of primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To describe the ocular findings in a series of children with spontaneous resolution of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).

METHODS

The medical records of 356 patients with PCG were reviewed. Nine patients with spontaneous resolution of PCG were studied. Fourteen of 18 eyes possessed evidence of early glaucoma, were found to have normal intraocular pressures, and were clinically classified as having spontaneous resolution of PCG. None of the eyes with spontaneous resolution received surgery or any glaucoma medication.

RESULTS

Spontaneous resolution of PCG in all nine patients was recognized after 4 months of age. At the time of diagnosis, large corneas were observed in all affected eyes and Haab's striae in 10 of 14 eyes. Intraocular pressures were normal in 14 eyes. In all 14 eyes, the anterior chambers were deep, the lenses were clear, and the angles were abnormal with the typical appearance of PCG. The eyes with spontaneous resolution of PCG possessed angle abnormalities that were less severe compared to three fellow eyes that required glaucoma treatments.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of spontaneous resolution of PCG in these patients is supported by objective clinical evidence. The explanation for this spontaneous resolution is unknown. Its mechanism could be related to continued postnatal development of the angle structures in eyes possessing milder angle abnormalities. The anterior segment findings in patients with spontaneous resolution of PCG are similar to those of patients with treated PCG, the intraocular pressures are normal, the optic nerve damage is stable, and the filtration angles possess mild or moderate abnormalities.