Ultrasound biomicroscopy in infantile glaucoma.

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma in infants has many causes: Evaluation of the anatomy of the anterior segment of eyes with infantile glaucoma may help to determine the pathogenesis of an infant's disease and influence therapeutic decisions.

METHODS

Eleven eyes of six infants with glaucoma were evaluated with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to evaluate the anatomic characteristics and relationships of the anterior segment structures.

RESULTS

The anterior chamber angle, iris, lens, ciliary body, and posterior chamber angle could be imaged in detail. Elongated and anteriorly placed ciliary processes were noted in all eight eyes with trabeculodysgenesis. There were no apparent anomalies in the trabecular meshwork, or anterior chamber. In three eyes with dense corneal opacities, ultrasound biomicroscopy showed severe anterior segment disorganization and thin central corneas with posterior corneal excavation.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful non-invasive method for evaluating infants with glaucoma in cases with corneal opacities. This information can help in surgical planning for glaucoma management.