Can children have glaucoma?

Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Children can develop glaucoma. Congenital glaucoma typically presents within the first year of life and is more common in boys. The disease onset before the age of two to three years leads to increased eye pressure, which results in the enlargement of the eyeball. This manifests as photophobia, tearing, and eyelid spasms. Once diagnosed, early surgical treatment is recommended. For children under three years old, the preferred surgical procedures are trabeculectomy or goniotomy. As children are in a developmental stage and have poorer overall tolerance, anti-glaucoma medications are only suitable for short-term bridging treatment.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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Can glaucoma be contagious?

Glaucoma is not contagious. It is not an infectious disease; rather, it is a group of diseases characterized by increased eye pressure, leading to optic nerve atrophy and vision decline. The most common cause is genetic factors, meaning if elders or parents in the family have this condition, the incidence of glaucoma in their offspring will also be higher. It is an eye disease caused by anatomical abnormalities of the eye. Additionally, some cases of glaucoma are caused by trauma or other reasons, so glaucoma is not contagious.

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Written by Zheng Xin
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Glaucoma Precautions

Once glaucoma is confirmed, active treatment is necessary, such as medication or surgery. In daily life, the following points should be noted: First, do not stay in dark environments for a long time. Second, avoid excessive use of eyes and ensure to rest. Third, try to avoid drinking strong tea or coffee and do not drink a large amount of water at once. Fourth, avoid using drugs that can trigger glaucoma attacks, such as antispasmodics and antidepressants.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases characterized by increased eye pressure, leading to optic nerve atrophy and vision loss. The symptoms of glaucoma are mainly caused by increased eye pressure, resulting in eye pain. In cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma, symptoms include eye pain along with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and tearing, which can easily be mistaken for neurological diseases. Chronic glaucoma symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting, are less pronounced, and eye discomfort is also more concealed during attacks, making early detection difficult. Therefore, it is important for glaucoma patients to undergo early examination and diagnosis, and to receive appropriate treatment in order to protect the optic nerve and prevent severe vision loss.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Glaucoma open angle vs closed angle differences

Primary glaucoma is clinically divided into two major categories: angle-closure glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma. The difference between them is that angle-closure glaucoma is due to a pre-existing abnormal configuration of the iris, leading to a mechanical blockage of the anterior chamber angle by peripheral iris tissue, which obstructs the outflow of aqueous humor, thus causing an increase in intraocular pressure. In contrast, open-angle glaucoma has a normal appearance of the anterior chamber angle, which remains open, and its increase in intraocular pressure is due to a pathology in the trabecular meshwork’s aqueous humor outflow system, increasing the resistance to aqueous outflow. Currently, the ratio of primary angle-closure glaucoma to primary open-angle glaucoma is about 3:1, making it the most common type of glaucoma in China.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
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What happens if glaucoma worsens?

Glaucoma, if left untreated or improperly treated leading to worsening, can result in blindness, which is referred to as absolute glaucoma. In such cases, it becomes impossible to recover vision; in other words, it is irreversible. Therefore, it is crucial to proactively treat glaucoma after its onset by reducing eye pressure to protect vision, adjusting one's mindset, resting adequately, and avoiding close-range activities. The treatment is generally quite successful nowadays. Glaucoma can be classified into acute angle-closure glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma, both of which are types of primary glaucoma. Additionally, it can be categorized into primary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and mixed glaucoma. With active treatment, the outcomes for glaucoma are generally good.