Epidemiologic, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic profile of juvenile glaucoma in Yaoundé

Abstract

Introduction: Juvenile glaucoma is a primary open-angle glaucoma that occurs between the ages of 3 and 35 years. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic characteristics of juvenile glaucoma at the Yaoundé
Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital.

Methodology: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, including the records of patients aged between 3 and 35 years with a diagnosis of juvenile glaucoma confirmed between January 1, 2013 and March 1, 2023. Sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical
and therapeutic variables were analyzed using SPSS v.20.

Results: The prevalence of juvenile glaucoma among all glaucoma cases was 8.3%. The age of participants [n=81] was 20 ± 8 years. A total of 26% of patients had a known family history of glaucoma. The mean cup/disc ratio was 0.6 ± 0.2 and mean adjusted intraocular pressure 18.5±5.3mmHg. Mean global indices were 2.4 +/- 2.4 dB for MD and  6.3+/-4.5 dB for LV. Low grade glaucoma was present in 93.8% of cases. Mean thicknesses of retinal nerve fibers and macular ganglion cell complex were 103.2+10.2 microns and 96.7+8.2 microns respectively. An association was found between male sex and the severity of juvenile glaucoma [p=0.04]. All participants received medical treatment.

Conclusion: Juvenile glaucoma was predominantly characterized by early-onset and among male patients. A better understanding of the normative basis of juvenile glaucoma would help improve diagnosis and follow-up.