BACKGROUNDThe extent of our knowledge of the epidemiology of pediatric glaucoma in China is limited. To better characterize the epidemiology of pediatric glaucoma in eastern China, we report the clinical profile, etiologies, and treatment modalities in patients <18 years of age in Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital.

METHODSThe medical records of patients presenting glaucoma between January 2003 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic characteristics, the proportion of different glaucoma subtypes and surgical precedures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 1 142 eyes of 734 pediatric patients (500 males) were included. Congenital glaucoma was the leading subtype, accounting for 47.55% of all patients. The ratio of boys to girls was 2.5:1. Patients with congenital glaucoma affecting both eyes accounted for 72.5% of all patients examined. Patients with primary juvenile glaucoma were the second most common group (n = 125, 17.03%). Traumatic glaucoma was the third most common subtype (n = 81, 11.03%). The type of surgery was related to the subtype of glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONSCongenital glaucoma, primary juvenile glaucoma, and traumatic glaucoma are the most prevalent subtypes in pediatric glaucoma patients in Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital. The characteristics of congenital glaucoma in China are similar to those in Western countries.