Management of congenital glaucoma in neurofibromatosis type 1: a report of two cases

Abstract

The most frequent ophthalmic lesions associated to neurofibromatosis type 1 include iris Lisch nodules, optic nerve gliomas, and neurofibromas located on the eyelid, conjunctiva or orbit. Glaucoma is much less frequent, and it may be difficult to diagnose and treat. We present two patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and associated congenital glaucoma. In case 1, the glaucoma was present at birth, and was the first symptom of the disease. It was surgically treated by means of an Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, with good intraocular pressure (IOP) control after 13 months of follow-up. In case 2, the glaucoma appeared at 5 months old, and a trabeculectomy was initially performed; it failed 2 years later and an Ahmed glaucoma valve was then implanted, with adequate IOP control after 7 years of follow-up. Both children were males, and in both cases there were orbital neurofibromas and a dysplasia of the greater wing of the sphenoid of the same side. In case 2, orbital enlargement surgery was also performed at 4 years old. Congenital glaucoma management in the context of neurofibromatosis is very complex due to the frequent association of orbital and eyelid tumors and bone dysplasia, and its prognosis is usually poor. We present two cases in which good control of IOP has been achieved with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation after 13 months and 7 years of follow-up.