Paediatric glaucoma can be cured early

CHENNAI: Paediatric Glaucoma that occurs usually due to the incorrect development of the eye's fluid flow system before birth leads to enlarged eyes, cloudiness of the cornea and photosensitivity. On account of World Glaucoma Awareness Week, ophthalmologists emphasise on the early diagnosis of glaucoma within a year of life in children.

Glaucoma is one such eye disorder that necessarily does not show symptoms, but creates vision problems in the future due to rise in fluid pressure within the eye causing severe headache, eye pain, vomiting sensation and appearance of rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights. Though the risk of glaucoma is higher in people above 40, paediatrics can develop it from birth and show varied symptoms like cloudy cornea, photosensitivity and excessive tearing.

“The diagnosis is difficult, until it progresses and destroys central vision. As a result, nearly half of those with glaucoma remain undiagnosed, and 50 percent have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Since glaucoma-related vision loss is permanent and treatment can slow progression and prevent blindness in 90 percent of cases, regular screening of at-risk patients to detect and treat glaucoma early is both worthwhile and recommended,” said Dr E. Karpagavalli, ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital.

The treatment for glaucoma depends on its intensity and in paediatrics, it can start with medical management with eye medications and based on severity, laser and surgical treatment are provided. Talking about the available treatments for glaucoma, Dr Karpagavalli said, “With the new procedure of Single Pass Four Throw Pupilloplasty (SFT), the treatment for glaucoma has become much easier and not only assures safety and effectiveness, but is also helpful in opening up the closed angle structures making the aqueous of the eye flow freely.”

Ophthalmologists also say that angle surgery is considered the mainstay of treatment for primary congenital glaucoma, especially for paediatric glaucoma. “Angle surgery has reported a 70 to 90 percent success rate for paediatric patients who are of age below six months to around three years. However, regular checkups are necessary to prevent the progression of the diseases and loss of vision subsequently,” said ophthalmologist Dr S. Vijay.