What is congenital glaucoma?

Congenital glaucoma is a common blinding eye disease in infants and young children, caused by abnormal ocular development leading to elevated intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage. If not promptly treated, it can impair visual development. The condition is often associated with genetic factors, and early detection and treatment are crucial for a favorable prognosis. Detailed analysis is as follows:

The disease primarily results from poor development of the anterior chamber angle during the embryonic period, causing obstruction of the aqueous humor drainage pathway and persistently elevated intraocular pressure. Some cases show familial inheritance, while others may arise from prenatal infections or developmental defects. Infants often present with photophobia, excessive tearing, eyelid spasms, enlarged eyeballs, and corneal clouding. Diagnosis requires comprehensive eye examinations, including intraocular pressure measurement and gonioscopy. Surgical intervention is the mainstay of treatment, aiming to reconstruct the aqueous drainage pathway and reduce intraocular pressure. Some children may require adjunctive medical therapy after surgery.

Parents should closely monitor their infants for any signs of eye abnormalities and seek prompt evaluation if symptoms such as frequent eye rubbing, photophobia, or tearing occur. After surgery, it is important to protect the child's eyes from trauma, adhere to prescribed medications, and attend regular follow-up appointments. For families with a history of the disease, newborns should undergo early eye screening to prevent potential vision loss before it occurs.