Glaucoma in Children

Glaucoma in children or what we call congenital glaucoma is a rare disease caused by rise of the pressure inside the eye of the infant.

The rise of eye pressure leads to glaucoma in children or congenital glaucoma. If glaucoma in children is left untreated, it can seriously damage the eyesight. This happens because of increased pressure on optic nerve head. Optic nerve is responsible for transmitting the visual implulses seen by the eye to the brain.

If your child is diagnosed with congenital glaucoma, rest assured that everything possible will be done for the best outcome for his future at Dr Khalil Eye Clinic in Cairo, Egypt. Dr Khalil has a vast experience since the late 1990s in dealing with Congenital Glaucoma (Glaucoma in Children).

large cloudy eyes of congenital glaucoma
Glaucoma in children can lead to eye enlargement and cloudiness

In children with congenital glaucoma, the eye yields to pressure rise and swells gradually resulting in larger eyes. This is due to the elastic nature of the infant eye. In more advanced cases of congenital glaucoma, fluid is pushed through the cornea (the transparent part in front of the eye). This leads to cloudiness and grayish discoloration. As a result, the infant becomes very intolerant to to bright light, and his eyes tearing.

Glaucoma in children is treated by surgery

Primary glaucoma in children

Congenital Glaucoma (Glaucoma in children) can be ‘primary’, meaning that it happens with no particular reason. Sometimes, glaucoma in children can be inherited, if both parents carry some particular gene. This can occur if parents are relatives. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes of the baby. Less commonly, the child can have glaucoma in only one eye.

Secondary glaucoma in children

Glaucoma in children can occur as a result of another eye problem. These types of children glaucoma are called ‘Secondary Glaucomas’. In infants, glaucoma that can occur after surgery for congenital cataracts. Other entities include Sturge-Weber Syndrome, Uveitis (eye inflammation), aniridia (absence of the iris) and Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (otherwise known as ‘anterior segment dysgenesis’).

Dr Khalil has been very actively fighting congenital glaucoma in children for more than 22 years. He has successfully operated on more than 1000 surgeries for children with glaucoma. This is one of the highest figures internationally for this rare disease. This is also due to many referrals from various primary and secondary care doctors and centers.

Dr Khalil Eye Clinic Specialties

A wide range of eye care procedures is offered at the highest standards at Dr Khalil Eye Clinic

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