We’ve all heard of glaucoma, a general name for a group of diseases that affect the eye, but what many people are unaware of is the risk of developing glaucoma in infants and children.
Glaucoma is a disease that can eventually result in vision loss after there has been sufficient damage caused to the optic nerve in the back of the eye and, while there is no cure for glaucoma, early detection of the condition and treatment is very effective in preserving vision.
There are two main types of glaucoma that impact infants, the most common being primary congenital glaucoma. This condition begins with an improper development of the eye in the womb. Essentially, this improper development can lead to problems with the drainage of fluid in the eye. When this happens, the fluid builds up in the eye, causing an increase in eye pressure. If the optic nerve is damaged, this can also mean permanent vision impairment or even complete loss. This condition typically affects children between the ages of 0 and 3 and requires immediate treatment so as to prevent development into blindness. The good news is, if the condition is detected early, 80-90% of children respond well to treatment and do not experience further eye problems.
Secondary glaucoma, on the other hand, typically result as a side effect of another eye condition in an infant or child. Examples include Axenfeld-Rieger’s Anomaly, which impacts eye development, or Peter’s Anomaly, which impacts the lens and cornea. Glaucoma can also develop post-cataract surgery, which is a surgery that is done to replace the eye’s cloudy lens. Additionally, children with the childhood form of arthritis may experience inflamed eyes as a result of blocked drainage channels and this can also lead to glaucoma.
Glaucoma in children is treated the same way as it would be with adults, with a few extra precautionary steps taken. Once any symptoms of high eye pressure are observed, infants and children under the age of 5 will be more closely examined under an anesthetic. In cases of mild glaucoma, eye drops may be used to treat the condition. However, in more serious cases, surgery is often needed. A trabeculectomy may be done to drain the excessive fluid out of the eye or an aqueous shunt device may be required, which will also drain the fluid and reduce the eye pressure.
While the symptoms and consequences of glaucoma in infants and children are scary to think about, thankfully this condition is not common at all and only affects 1 in every 10,000 babies. Nonetheless, it is important to know and understand the symptoms in order to be on the lookout for the development of glaucoma in children and adults alike. By catching this condition early on, you can get treated and protect the health of your eyes!
References
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma#:~:text=What%20is%20glaucoma%3F,a%20comprehensive%20dilated%20eye%20exam.
https://glaucoma.uk/about-glaucoma/what-is-glaucoma/glaucoma-in-babies-and-children/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20glaucoma%20in,the%20eye%20pressure%20to%20rise.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/primary-congenital-glaucoma
https://glaucoma.uk/about-glaucoma/treatments-surgery/trabeculectomy-surgery/
https://glaucoma.uk/about-glaucoma/treatments-surgery/aqueous-shunt-implantation/