Prevalence and Prognosis of Glaucoma/Elevated Intraocular Pressure in Patients with Uveitis.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical course of elevated intraocular pressure (EIP) and glaucoma in different types of uveitis.

Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who were treated for any kind of uveitis at Ege University Ophthalmology Department between January 2003 and January 2023. Patients with transient/persistent increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), who were already under treatment with antiglaucoma medications at the initial examination, or who were diagnosed with glaucoma during follow-up were included. Demographic features, uveitis type, time between uveitis and glaucoma/EIP diagnoses, topical and systemic treatments for uveitis, and antiglaucoma medications and surgeries were recorded.

Results: A total of 2176 patient files (1206 anterior uveitis [AU], 247 intermediate uveitis [IU], 165 posterior uveitis [PU], 558 panuveitis [PanU]) were reviewed and 594 eyes of 440 (20.2%) patients (205 female, 235 male) were included in the study (292 eyes with AU, 80 eyes with IU, 44 eyes with PU, and 178 eyes with PanU). Glaucoma was observed in 220 eyes (37.0%) and EIP in 374 eyes (63.0%). Glaucoma was present in 120 eyes with AU, 23 eyes with IU, 13 eyes with PU, and 64 eyes with PanU. IOP was controlled with medical treatment in 458 eyes (77.1%) while glaucoma surgery/laser was needed in 113 eyes (19.0%). No treatment was required for 23 eyes (3.9%).

Conclusion: The prevalence rate of glaucoma/EIP was 20.3%. Glaucoma was most observed in eyes with AU (41.1%), while EIP was most common with IU (71.2%).