Molteno Implantation for Secondary Glaucoma in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of Molteno implantation in secondary glaucoma associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Between January 1, 1986, and December 1, 1996, 27 eyes of 19 consecutive patients with secondary glaucoma due to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis received a Molteno implant. The diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was made according to the American Rheumatism Association criteria. Results: At the end of the follow-up (mean, 40 months; range, 6-116 months), the mean (±SD) postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) (14.4±4.3 mm Hg) was statistically significantly lower than the preoperative IOP (38.3±5.6 mm Hg) ( P Conclusion: The Molteno implant is useful and well tolerated in controlling IOP in patients with glaucoma secondary to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.