PEDIATRIC GLAUCOMA
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What Is Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease characterized by optic nerve damage due to high eye pressure. It is a relatively rare disease in children.
Fluid is continuously made in the eye by a structure called the ciliary body, and fluid flows of of the eye through a drainage canal called the trabecular meshwork. This balance between fluid that is made and fluid that isdrained create s the eye pressure. A nomral eye pressure inside the eyeball helps the eye maintain its spherical shape and provides nutrition to its various structures. In glaucoma patients there is an imbalance between the amount of fluid produced and the amount drained out of the eye–which leads to a high eye pressure.
Can Childen Develop Glaucoma?
Children of all ages can develop glaucoma. Primary glaucoma (such as congenital glaucoma) is caused by a congenital problem in the development of the trabecular meshwork. It is present at birth and is the most common form of pediatric glaucoma. In other cases of glaucoma, increased eye pressure is caused by another eye problem (secondary glaucoma) such as inflammation, infection, trauma, steriod use, or after cataract surgery. Other rare causes of secondary glaucoma include Sturge Weber syndrom and neurofibromatosis. Finally, some genes have been identified that cause glaucoma in families (hereditary glaucoma).
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
Similar to diabetes or hypertension, glaucoma is a lifelong disease with ups and downs along the course. Regular follow ups are vital to keep the eye pressure controlled and prevent blindness.
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower the eye pressure into a normal range, by medical or surgical means. Medical treatments include eye drops and oral medicine. Surgery for glaucoma involves creating an outflow pathway forthe fluid to drain out of the eye. There are several different procedures; your eye doctor will recommend the appropriate procedure tailored to your child's type of glaucoma.
Wills Eye Pediatric Ophthalmologists
