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Childhood glaucoma, also called pediatric glaucoma, is rare. The condition is caused by increased intraocular pressure in one or both eyes. Elevated eye pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss.
There are three types of pediatric glaucoma, including:
Congenital glaucoma is caused by the abnormal development of the eye’s drainage system before birth. The eye's drainage system controls the flow of aqueous humor (clear liquid of the eye). It also creates eye shape, provides nutrients, and maintains intraocular pressure (IOP).
If the drainage rate of aqueous humor is off even slightly, IOP increases and damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss.
Childhood glaucoma can be classified as primary glaucoma if the cause is not associated with another medical condition. If an underlying medical condition causes elevated intraocular pressure, it is called secondary glaucoma.
Childhood glaucoma is rare, affecting 1 in 10,000 American infants. Congenital glaucoma is discovered within the first year of life. If treated early, the child usually does not develop permanent vision loss.3
Congenital glaucoma is usually noticeable right away. Common symptoms include:
Children may experience pain, poor appetite, and irritability if eye pressure increases rapidly.
Children that develop glaucoma later in childhood may be asymptomatic until the disease progresses into permanent optic nerve damage and vision loss. Eye exams are recommended for children within their first year of life.
There are many causes of pediatric glaucoma. Primary congenital glaucoma is caused by the drainage system not developing correctly before birth.
Secondary childhood glaucoma occurs when an underlying medical condition is causing an increase in intraocular pressure.
Medical conditions linked to childhood glaucoma include:
Childhood glaucoma is rare. Ten percent of primary congenital glaucoma cases are genetic.1
Family history is also a risk factor for secondary childhood glaucoma. Neurofibromatosis and aniridia are linked to genetics, with 50% of cases inheriting the disease from parents.1
Other risk factors for pediatric glaucoma include:
If not treated early, elevated eye pressure causes permanent damage to the optic nerve. This results in irreversible vision loss.
Childhood glaucoma is diagnosed during a comprehensive eye examination. This exam includes a series of tests and assessments, including:
Treatment of pediatric glaucoma will depend on several factors, including:
The first goal of treating secondary glaucoma first focuses on reducing eye pressure and treating the underlying medical condition.
Surgery is the best way to treat primary congenital glaucoma. Treatment involves opening up the drainage system to lower intraocular pressure.
Surgical procedures for congenital glaucoma include:
Other surgeries used to treat childhood glaucoma include:
Medicated eye drops are routinely used to lower fluid pressure inside the eye. They are used both before and after glaucoma surgery.
If treated early, surgery and medication are usually effective at treating pediatric glaucoma. Many children with glaucoma live healthy lives with minimal vision loss.
Early detection and treatment prevent pediatric glaucoma from progressing into blindness.
Congenital glaucoma typically has visual warning signs shortly after birth. But other types of childhood glaucoma are usually asymptomatic until the disease progresses into permanent optic nerve damage and vision loss.
If your child is at risk for infantile or juvenile glaucoma, it is vital to have an annual comprehensive eye exam by a pediatric ophthalmologist. They will check eye pressure and look for signs of optic nerve damage.
Childhood glaucoma is a rare condition caused by elevated eye pressure. The condition can lead to permanent optic nerve damage, vision loss, and blindness.
Depending on the age of onset, children with glaucoma might be diagnosed with congenital, infantile, or juvenile glaucoma. Many types of childhood glaucoma are hereditary.
Congenital glaucoma has visual warning signs and is typically diagnosed shortly after birth.
Secondary childhood glaucoma does not usually have symptoms until the disease progresses into vision loss and possible blindness if not treated.
Pediatric glaucoma treatment includes a combination of surgery and medication. If treated early, many children diagnosed with glaucoma lead healthy lives with minimal vision loss.
Eye doctors recommend starting childhood eye exams within the first year of life.
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