Changes in Inflammatory Activity after Glaucoma Filtration Surgery in Children with Chronic Anterior Uveitis.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in inflammatory activity over time in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated anterior uveitis after two different types of glaucoma surgery.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 32 patients with JIA who had trabeculectomy (TE, 21 eyes) or Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGV, 11 eyes). Inflammatory activity and use of anti-inflammatory medication were evaluated 1 year prior to surgery and in the first, third, and fifth years after surgery.

Results: In both groups IOP decreased significantly from pre-surgery to 2 years after surgery (TE, 31.1 ± 6.7 to 12.8 ± 6.1 mmHg, p<0.0001; AGV, 28.5 ± 8.5 to 14.9 ± 6.6 mmHg, p<0.001). In the TE group flare, anterior chamber cells, and uveitis activity decreased significantly after surgery, whereas with AGV there was no sustained reduction of flare.

Conclusions: The degree of inflammation in JIA-associated uveitis is significantly reduced after trabeculectomy.