Childhood glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness in childhood, accounting for 20% of the cases. When detected early, there is a great chance of treatment and reversal of the condition. Unfortunately, most parents miss the symptoms, which often results in total blindness. Research carried out by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology shows that for every 10,000 babies, at least 1 has congenital glaucoma. Therefore, it is very important for parents to pay close attention to every sign and symptom affecting eye health, even when they are hard to notice.

Cause of Glaucoma?

Its cause is hereditary, and it is mostly related to marriages between family members. Glaucoma is an eye disease that occurs due to increased intraocular pressure. This pressure causes serious damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending nerve information to the brain. If not quickly controlled, it can totally compromise vision in a short period of time.

IMPORTANT: Through the eye test, which is mandatory for all newborns, it is possible to diagnose childhood glaucoma early. The exam should be carried out before the baby turns 1 month old. Early detection makes all the difference in the treatment and quality of life of the child.

The pressure occurs because the drainage space for the eye’s aqueous humor stops functioning, causing the fluid to become stagnant and accumulate inside the eye. This passage is interrupted by a thin membrane that can appear in one or both eyes. This occurrence accounts for 80% of cases, which usually happen in older people, above 40 years of age, but it can also take place in childhood. It is this fluid buildup that creates high intraocular pressure.

Symptoms of Childhood Glaucoma

Even though they are considered difficult-to-identify signs for parents, it is extremely important to pay attention to behavioral changes connected to the health of our children. Childhood glaucoma symptoms may begin to appear within the first few months of life, even before the baby’s vision is fully developed. If glaucoma is not treated early it may permanently halt vision development and lead the baby to irreversible blindness. A valuable tip from a pediatric ophthalmology specialist is for parents to pay attention to the baby’s first photos. During photos, the flash goes off and the pupil appears reddish in the image; this is the normal appearance of the eyes. But when the eyes show up as whitish or yellowish in photos, it may be a sign of the disease and is a reason to be alert and consult the pediatrician.

The Most Common Sign

The most common and noticeable sign is in the coloring of the eyes. Usually babies with childhood glaucoma lose the shine in their eyes, leaving the cornea more opaque, whitish or bluish. Other related symptoms include excessive tearing, photophobia, and eye irritation. Another important factor is the size of the eyes. Babies and children with glaucoma tend to have eyes that are larger than normal for their age group, and this can be noticed with just a little attention. What some people may consider “charming” — a child with big eyes — can, for doctors, be a sign of glaucoma. Remember that the first eye exam should be done before the baby turns 1 month old, the “eye test”. Through the red reflex, the baby’s retina is examined. If any changes are noticed, retinal mapping may be requested along with pupil dilation and eye pressure measurement.

How to Treat

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent childhood glaucoma, but being alert to any eye changes and taking the child to the ophthalmologist promptly is the best prevention. Since babies usually do not have fully developed vision in the first months, it is practically impossible to detect vision problems during this period. Many parents only manage to diagnose glaucoma when the child complains about discomfort and, unfortunately, when the condition is already advanced. When the disease is detected, surgical intervention is required for the accumulated fluid to be drained and intraocular pressure reduced. However, before the surgery, treatment is carried out together with topical eye drops that help control the pressure before draining the fluid. Following the correct treatment and having regular check-ups with the pediatric ophthalmologist will increase the chances of full recovery. See also: Braille – Words at Your Fingertips Photo: Tania VDB