Glaucoma
|
Glaucoma: Common, Difficult-to-manage Complication Of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis URL: By Mark Greener Glaucoma is a common complication of iridocyclitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and often proves difficult to manage, report researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The authors reviewed the records of 69 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who developed iridocyclitis. Twenty-nine children showed either secondary glaucoma or ocular hypertension in a total of 41 eyes. Topical treatment controlled intraocular pressure in seven of the 41 eyes. Systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors controlled intraocular pressure in another eight eyes. However, surgery controlled pressure in all the remaining eyes, with one exception. The authors concluded that glaucoma is a common complication of iridocyclitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. They suggest that prolonged, inadequately treated intraocular inflammation causes many cases of glaucoma and intraocular pressure in this population. Glaucoma secondary to steroids accounts for a smaller proportion. The authors note that medical and surgical therapy for glaucoma associated with uveitis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients is challenging and not completely effective. The authors suggest that more aggressive treatment of the uveitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, earlier in the disease's natural history, may reduce glaucoma's impact. |
DISCLAIMER: The materials and information on this server are intended for educational and informational purposes only. The materials and information are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this website. Any information used from other websites was done so with permission from each site, with an exception to those of "public domain", whereas we believe any site without a cited reference was a "public domain site" and for our use. The International Still's Disease Foundation is a non-profit organization. This page was last updated on January 17, 2001 Copyright© 1999-2001 International Still's Disease Foundation |