# A Case of Refractory Childhood Glaucoma Associated With Sturge–Weber Syndrome Treated With Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant

## TL;DR

A 14-year-old boy with Sturge–Weber syndrome and resistant childhood glaucoma was successfully treated with a Baerveldt glaucoma implant after complications from previous surgeries.

## Contribution

This case highlights the use of Baerveldt glaucoma implant in managing refractory childhood glaucoma associated with Sturge–Weber syndrome.

## Key findings

- The patient's intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg before BGI surgery despite full medication.
- Postoperative serous retinal and choroidal detachments occurred but resolved within 8 days with conservative treatment.
- Avoiding postoperative hypotony is crucial in treating secondary childhood glaucoma due to SWS.

## Abstract

We reported the clinical course of refractory childhood glaucoma associated with Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS) treated with Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI). The patient was a 14‐year‐old male diagnosed with SWS after birth. He had previously undergone four trabeculotomies for glaucoma and vitrectomy for submacular hemorrhage from a diffuse choroidal hemangioma in his left eye. Before the BGI surgery, his intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg under full medications. The patient experienced extensive serous retinal and choroidal detachments on Postoperative Day 9. The cause may have been the increased leakage of serous fluid from the choroidal hemangioma and the high venous pressure in the episclera due to SWS. Retinal and choroidal detachments subsided within 8 days with conservative therapy. It is important to avoid postoperative hypotony for the treatment of secondary childhood glaucoma due to SWS.