ABSTRACT
Medical treatment of developmental glaucoma is used mostly as a temporizing measure pending surgical treatment as it has little chance to obtain and maintain the target intraocular pressure in most cases. The purpose of surgery is to preserve vision. Because visual disability in developmental glaucoma seems to be related to pressure-induced optic nerve atrophy and to surgical complications, a balance must be struck between surgical risks and the maintenance of the target intraocular pressure. Variable success rates have been reported in developmental glaucomas, and many factors must be considered when evaluating the options. In developmental glaucomas, cyclodestructive procedures, such as cyclocryotherapy and transscleral laser cyclophoto-coagulation can be performed with the same modalities used for adults. Special attention should be paid to the localization of the ciliary body because the anterior segment anatomy can be distorted. In order to prevent corneal decompensation, iris atrophy, and cataract formation, the tube should be appropriately positioned in the anterior chamber.
