Changes in the thickness of the macular ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer over time after surgery in a case of juvenile glaucoma

PURPOSE: To report longitudinal changes over time after surgery in the topography of the optic disc, thickness of the circum papillary retinal nerve fiber layer (c-RNFL), and thickness of the macular ganglion cell complex (m-GCC) in a case of juvenile open angle glaucoma. OBSERVATIONS: Case report based on one patient. After significant edema of the optic disc for 2 months, the cup depth and cup volume measured by Heidelberg retina tomograph images showed reversal, which lasted for 3 years. The c-RNFL thickness and m-GCC thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography first increased for a week and then continued to decrease until 6 months after operation. These two parameters reached a plateau after 3 years. The mean deviation of global visual field indices of the Humphrey visual field revealed a very mild reduction for this 3 year period. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: In juvenile onset glaucoma, changes in c-RNFL thickness and m-GCC thickness after operation were not consistent with changes in optic disc cupping. Changes in the thicknesses of the c-RNFL or m-GCC, rather than changes in the optic disc changes, may be good surrogate measures to confirm the effectiveness of glaucoma surgery.