8/15/2019 primary glaucoma childhood

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Danielle Fiarito, 16, was diagnosed with glaucoma at age 4 Read more »

Download our free booklet (PDF) --Childhood Glaucoma: Facts, nswers,

 !i"s, and #esources for $hildren with %laucoma and their Families

Childhood glaucoma — also referred to as congenital glaucoma,pediatric, or infantile glaucoma — occurs in babies and youngchildren. It is usually diagnosed within the first year of life.

This is a rare condition that may be inherited, caused by incorrect development of the

eye’s drainage system before birth. This leads to increased intraocular pressure, which

in turn damages the optic nerve.

Symptoms of childhood glaucoma include enlarged eyes, cloudiness of the cornea, andphotosensitivity (sensitivity to light).

How is it Treated?

n an uncomplicated case, surgery can often correct such structural defects. !oth

medication and surgery are re"uired in some cases.

#edical treatments may involve the use of topical eye drops and oral medications.

These treatments help to either increase the e$it of fluid from the eye or decrease the

production of fluid inside the eye. %ach results in lower eye pressure.

There are two main types of surgical treatments& filtering surgery and laser surgery.

'iltering surgery (also nown as micro surgery) involves the use of small surgical tools to

create a drainage canal in the eye. n contrast, laser surgery uses a small but powerful

beam of light to mae a small opening in the eye tissue.

hat to %$pect

Thousands of children with glaucoma can live full lives. This is the ultimate goal of

glaucoma management. *lthough lost vision cannot be restored, it is possible to

optimi+e each child’s remaining vision. %"ually important is to encourage your child’sindependence and participation in his or her own selfcare.

Signs of -hildhood laucoma

• &nusuall' large e'es

• cessi*e tearing

• $loud' e'es

• +ight sensiti*it'

http://www.glaucoma.org/personal-stories/danielle-fiarito-16-year-old-glaucoma-fighter.phphttp://www.glaucoma.org/uploads/grf_childhood_glaucoma.pdfhttp://www.glaucoma.org/personal-stories/danielle-fiarito-16-year-old-glaucoma-fighter.phphttp://www.glaucoma.org/uploads/grf_childhood_glaucoma.pdf