ULTRASOUND BIOMICROSCOPY IN INFANTILE GLAUCOMA

Background: Glaucoma in infants has many causes, Evaluation of the ana tomy of the anterior segment of eyes with infantile glaucoma may help to determine the pathogenesis of an infant's disease and influence the rapeutic decisions. Methods: Eleven eyes of six infants with glaucoma were evaluated with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to evaluate the ana tomic characteristics and relationships of the anterior segment struct ures. Results: The anterior chamber angle, iris, lens, ciliary body, a nd posterior chamber angle could be imaged in detail. Elongated and an teriorly placed ciliary processes were noted in all eight eyes with tr abeculodysgenesis, There were no apparent anomalies in the trabecular meshwork, or anterior chamber, In three eyes with dense corneal opacit ies, ultrasound biomicroscopy showed severe anterior segment disorgani zation and thin central corneas with posterior corneal excavation. Con clusions: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful non-invasive method for evaluating infants with glaucoma in cases with corneal opacities. Thi s information can help in surgical planning for glaucoma management.