Paediatrics: Glaucoma

Glaucoma

This condition is associated with raised intraocular pressure; disc cupping, and visual field loss. Primary open angle and secondary closed angle glau-coma are rare in childhood. Congenital glaucoma is also rare and may be due to the abnormal development of the anterior chamber angle. Later-onset glaucoma may result from syndromes that effect eye develop-ment. The infant eye, unlike the adult, can enlarge enormously with high intraocular pressures (buphthalmos, ‘ox-eye’), developing a hazy cornea and excess lacrimation. The treatment is surgical, but is often unsuccessful. Visual prognosis is poor and often results in blindness.