GLAUCOMA

CONGENITAL GLAUCOMA

We are very well aware of Adult glaucoma which is seen in elderly individuals and those with family history of glaucoma or pre-disposing factors like hyepertension, diabetes,myopia etc to name a few.

Pediatric Glaucoma is a broad based term for Congenital glaucoma and Juvenile glaucoma

Incidence of the above condition is 1 : 1,00,000

Symptoms-

Three symptoms characterize primary congential glaucoma in an infant or a young child:

Excessive tearing (called epiphora)
Sensitivity to light (called photophobia)
Spasms or squeezing of the eyelid (called blepharospasm)

If an infant or a young child shows any of these symptoms, parents or caregivers should seek medical care as soon as possible from an ophthalmologist because they might be signs of glaucoma

What to do next if you observe the above symptoms ?-
IMMEDIATELY FIX-UP A MEET WITH AN EYE SPECIALIST OR A PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGIST who is specially trained in managing the above condition

What your Pediatric Ophthalmologist will do ?

He/She will plan an EUA- Examination Under Anesthesia to examine the below given things in your baby's eye-

1.CORNEAL DIAMETER- The size of the black of the eye- With an instrument called Vernier Calliper

2.INTRA-OCULAR PRESSURE- The eye pressure- With an instrument called 'Perkins Tonometer'

3.OPTIC DISC ANALYSIS-The examination of the nerve supplying the eye- With an instrument called ' Indirect Ophthlmoscope'

4.GONIOSCOPY-The examination of the angle of anterior chamber of the eye- With an instrument called 'DIRECT KOEPPE'S GONIOSCOPE'

5.SLIT LAMP EXAMINATION- The examination of the cornea of the eye- With an instrument called' HAND-HELD SLIT LAMP'

What's next after examining the eye ?

Your pediatric Ophthalmologist will plan either of the below given surgeries depending upon the examination results-
1.Goniotomy
2.Trabeculotomy
3.Trabeculectomy-Trabeculotomy
4.Glaucoma Valve Implant

The results of the surgery are very good and you need to leave it upto your pediatric ophthalmologist to decide the exact surgery needed for your kid.