ESCRS - PO651 - Demographic And Clinical Profile Of Juvenile Open Angle Glaucoma (Joag) In Saudi Arabia: A Tertiary Hospital Study.

Demographic And Clinical Profile Of Juvenile Open Angle Glaucoma (Joag) In Saudi Arabia: A Tertiary Hospital Study.

Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO651 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/q0by-1a15

Authors: Flaka Shoshi* 1 , Andre Messias 2 , Fitore Shoshi 3 , Vinicius Silva Pelicano Pelicano 2 , Mire Shoshi 3 , Zoltan Zsolt Nagy 1

1Department of Ophthalmology,Semmelweis University,Budapest,Hungary, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery,University of SaoPaulo, Ribeirao Preto ,Ribeirao Preto,Brazil, 3Department of Ophthalmology,Shoshi Polyclinic,Prishtina,Kosovo

Purpose

  • Describe the demographic and clinical features of JOAG patients, including age, sex, refractive error, family history, and initial clinical presentation.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment modalities, both surgical and non-surgical, in managing JOAG.
  • Analyze the visual outcomes and intraocular pressure (IOP) control achieved through these interventions.
  • Identify potential factors that may influence the progression and management of JOAG in this patient population.
  • Contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding JOAG, particularly within the Saudi Arabian context, where specific genetic and environmental factors may play a role.
  • Provide insights that can inform clinical practice and improve the management of JOAG patients.

Setting

  • This was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary referral eye care center. Specifically, it took place at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • The study period encompassed data collected between January 2015 and August 2022.
  • The study focused on patients diagnosed with juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) within this specific healthcare setting.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of patients who had been diagnosed with JOAG during the specified timeframe and had a minimum follow-up duration of at least 6 months. Both electronic and paper records were obtained for all patients diagnosed with JOAG at our tertiary referral eye care center between January 2015 and August 2022.. Visual acuity data were converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle resolution (LogMAR) for standardized analysis. The CARL ZEISS Humphrey 745i Field Analyzer/HFA II-i Visual Field Analyzer was used to perform visual field examinations under the 24-2 program SITA standard.

Results

  • The study included 45 patients (87 eyes) diagnosed with JOAG, with a mean age of 26.91 years.
  • A high prevalence of myopia (93%) and a family history of glaucoma (51.1%) were observed.
  • A significant proportion of patients presented with severe visual field defects in both eyes.
  • Initial and final IOP measurements showed a significant reduction following both surgical and non-surgical interventions.
  • There were no significant differences in treatment outcomes based on gender or affected eye.
  • Visual acuity was generally mildly to moderately impaired.
  • The study highlights the importance of IOP control in managing JOAG.
  • Both surgical and non-surgical treatments were effective in reducing IOP in JOAG patients.

Conclusions

This research contributes valuable data on JOAG within a Saudi Arabian context, providing insights into the demographics and clinical presentation of this condition in this specific population. The study confirms that JOAG presents with distinct clinical characteristics, including a high prevalence of myopia and a significant family history of glaucoma. 

The treatment strategies can be applied broadly within this patient population. However, the study also underscores the challenges posed by severe visual field defects at presentation, emphasizing the need for early detection and intervention to preserve visual function.

Further research is needed to explore the long-term outcomes and genetic factors associated with JOAG in Saudi Arabia.