Glaucoma occurs when the fluid drainage from the eye is blocked by abnormal development or injury to the drainage tissues, thus, resulting in an increase in the intraocular pressure, damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision.
It is classified according to the age of onset. One that begins before the child is 3 years old is called infantile or congenital (present at birth) glaucoma.
Glaucoma that occurs in a child is called childhood glaucoma.
It can be hereditary or it can be associated with other eye disorders. If glaucoma cannot be attributed to any other cause, it is classified as primary. If glaucoma is a result of another eye disorder, eye injury, or other disease, it is classified as secondary.
In addition to a complete medical history and eye examination of your child, diagnostic procedures for childhood glaucoma may include:
Glaucoma is rare in children, as compared to the adult. However, when it does occur, the symptoms may not be as obvious in children. Many children are diagnosed before they are 6 months old. Glaucoma can affect one eye or both.
The following are the most common symptoms of childhood glaucoma. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
If the eye pressure increases rapidly, there may be pain and discomfort. Parents may notice that the child becomes irritable, fussy, and develops a poor appetite. Early detection and diagnosis is very important to prevent loss of vision. The symptoms of glaucoma may resemble other eye problems or medical conditions. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
Specific treatment will be determined based on:
It is important for treatment of childhood glaucoma to start as early as possible. Treatment may include:
Medications
Some medications cause the eye to produce less fluid, while others lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.
The purpose of conventional surgery is to create a new opening for fluid to leave the eye. Surgical procedures are performed by using microsurgery or lasers. The purpose of surgery is to create an opening for fluid to leave the eye. Surgical procedures used to treat glaucoma in children include the following:
Trabeculotomy and goniotomy
A surgical opening is made into the drainage area of the eye (known as the trabecular meshwork drainage system), therefore establishing a more normal anterior chamber angle that allows the fluid to drain more freely, lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP). A goniotomy is an internal trabeculotomy procedure that is used in congenital glaucoma.
Trabeculectomy
A surgical procedure that involves the removal of part of the trabecular meshwork drainage system, allowing the fluid to drain from the eye.
Iridotomy
In this procedure, a small hole is made through the iris - the colored part of the eye - to allow fluid to flow more freely in the eye. The surgeon may use a laser to create this hole (laser iridotomy).
Drainage implant (aqueous shunt implant)
Fluid is drained out by inserting a small silicon tube into the eye with the main implant remaining hidden under the skin of the eye
Cyclophotocoagulation
A procedure that uses a laser beam to freeze selected areas of the ciliary body - the part of the eye that produces aqueous humor - to reduce the production of fluid. This type of surgery may be performed with severe cases of childhood glaucoma.Both medications and surgery have been successfully used to treat childhood glaucoma.
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