Symptoms of childhood glaucoma are confused with those of less serious diseases, but the condition can lead to blindness.
Glaucoma is often associated with the elderly, but it can also affect children silently and subtly. And, if not detected and treated early, this eye disease can significantly impair children’s vision.
html[data-range=”xlarge”] figure image img.img-75d060a55ccd4fb98a35173c5dd9fd02z8ziu2y2 { width: 774px; height: 463px; }HTML[data-range=”large”] figure image img.img-75d060a55ccd4fb98a35173c5dd9fd02z8ziu2y2 { width: 548px; height: 328px; }HTML[data-range=”small”] figure image img.img-75d060a55ccd4fb98a35173c5dd9fd02z8ziu2y2, html[data-range=”medium”] figure image img.img-75d060a55ccd4fb98a35173c5dd9fd02z8ziu2y2 { width: 564px; height: 337px; }HTML[data-range=”small”] .article__image-embed, html[data-range=”medium”] .article__image-embed {width: 564px; margin: auto 0 30px; }
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of blindness in children globally. This means that, out of 1.5 million children between the ages of 0 and 7, around 75,000 have lost their sight due to this disease.
Though rare, childhood glaucoma can result from a variety of factors. This is the case, for example, of congenital anomalies in the development of the drainage system of the eye, of traumas, of infections or of genetic diseases. Heredity plays a crucial role, so children with a family history of glaucoma are more at risk.
Symptoms
The symptoms of glaucoma in children can be subtle and, therefore, it is common to confuse them with less serious eye problems, points out Dr. Giovanna Marchezine, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the Hospital de Olhos de Cuiabá (HOC).
“Sensitivity to light, red eyes, excessive tearing and dilated pupils are signs that can go unnoticed. Sometimes children can complain of eye pain or headaches, but these symptoms can also be ignored,” explains the doctor .
The diagnosis, in turn, is complex. Because children are still in the developing stages of communication to be able to describe their symptoms accurately, doctors rely on comprehensive eye exams. Among these tests, tonometry, a procedure for measuring intraocular pressure, stands out.
“It is important to underline that the normality of eye pressure values in children presents a variation, which can affect the accuracy of the results obtained through this diagnostic approach”, warns the specialist.
Different types of glaucoma
There are several variants of glaucoma in children, of which the most common is congenital glaucoma. This typology is characterized by the manifestation of signs from birth or in the first two years of life, which require attention from parents and pediatricians in requesting a specialist evaluation.
In the predominant subtype, known as primary congenital glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure during childhood development leads to an increase in the size of the eyeball.
“This is reflected in symptoms such as corneal opacity, visible increase in eye size, growth difference between the eyes, and sensitivity to light. These characteristics significantly differentiate the affected and unaffected eye in children of this type. age range”, explains Giovanna.
Other variants of childhood glaucoma, such as secondary congenital glaucoma, can arise as a result of factors such as congenital cataract surgery, long-term use of corticosteroids, eye trauma or ocular malformations.
However, after this stage, glaucoma can develop in a more camouflaged way. Therefore experts recommend regular consultations with ophthalmologists, even when symptoms are not visible, to enable early diagnosis of the disease.
Treatment
Treatment of childhood glaucoma usually involves a combination of eye drops, laser surgery, or conventional surgery, depending on the severity of the case. Therapy is adapted to each child and requires continuous monitoring. In addition, families and caregivers play a crucial role in the success of treatment by ensuring that medical prescriptions are met and by showing up for regular appointments.
The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) also stresses the importance of eye exams, to be carried out in the maternity ward. The entity also indicates the first eye examination between 6 months and one year of age.
Glaucoma in children is often diagnosed in advanced stages, when vision damage has already occurred. This is why early diagnosis is so important. Timely treatments and interventions can preserve vision and minimize future impacts, the pediatric ophthalmologist points out.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
