Mechanisms of secondary glaucoma in eyes with advanced retinoblastoma: histopathological

Purpose: The association between retinoblastoma (RTB) and secondary glaucoma is well known. The most common cause of secondary glaucoma in RTB is iris neovascularization, followed by pupillary block and tumor seeding in the anterior chamber. Aim of this study is to review the glaucoma-inducing mechanism in a large italian population of RTB patients and discuss our experience with these cases Methods: . In the last five years we observed 152 cases of RTB; in 18 cases (17%) during the first examination under general anesthesia, elevated intraocular pressure was observed. Histopathological examination of these eyes was performed to understand the mechanisms inducing glaucoma. Results: In six patients only (33%) the mechanism seemed to be an isolated one (four tumor seeding and two angle closure), in 12 patients (66%) a combination of more than one mechanism was observed (angle closure, tumor seeding and iris neovascularization Conclusions: Although glaucoma is a secondary clinical issue in RTB management and care of its presence, revealed by a thorough ocular exam of the anterior segment, can guide the clinician in assessing the overall condition of the affected eye