Study finds high risk of vision loss in juvenile open-angle glaucoma patients
Juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) often leads to severe and progressive vision loss despite treatment, and patients who undergo more glaucoma surgeries are at higher risk for worsening visual impairment, according to a study.
The retrospective study analyzed data from 106 patients (203 eyes) treated over 13 years at 2 tertiary hospitals, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. World Health Organization criteria was used to assess visual outcomes at diagnosis and final follow-up.
At the outset, 31.5% of eyes were blind. After an average follow-up of nearly 8 years, that number rose to 35.5% of eyes. Bilateral blindness also increased from 15.2% to 19.8%. Among those with no vision loss at diagnosis, most maintained stable vision for up to 5 years. However, those with moderate impairment were more likely to progress.
Although progression rates did not differ significantly across visual categories, the study identified a higher number of glaucoma surgeries as a key risk factor for worsening vision (adjusted hazard ratio 2.25).
Reference
Seresirikachorn K, Vu DM, Narayana A, et al. Visual Outcomes and Risk Factors For Progression in Juvenile Open-Angle Glaucoma. Ophthalmol Glaucoma. 2025;S2589-4196(25)00113-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ogla.2025.06.003. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40505968.
