What is Congenital Glaucoma?  What is the treatment for Congenital Glaucoma?

Congenital glaucoma is a condition of elevated intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) in a child due to a congenital abnormality in the eye.  There are multiple inherited conditions that can cause these abnormalities and glaucoma.  These abnormalities typically affect the outflow of fluid from the eye (trabecular meshwork abnormality).  This condition can occur in one or both eyes; however, it more commonly occurs in both eyes.  The mother or caregiver will typically notice the child tearing (epiphoria), sensitivity to light (photophobia) and squinting (blepharospasms).  Often the eye will appear cloudy and have a larger size.  The treatment of choice for congenital glaucoma is a surgical procedure;  (trabeculotomy) or a glaucoma filtering value.  Medications can be use temporary however the definitive treatment would be surgery.

Treatment

     Antiglaucoma medications

     Surgery (trabeculotomy)

     Surgery (glaucoma filtering valve)

Below are some conditions that can cause development abnormalities in the eye and can lead to congenital glaucoma.  These conditions are not common.

Axenfeld’s Anomaly

This is an inherited (autosomal dominant) condition that affects the structures in the front part of the eye;  iris, cornea, and anterior chamber angle.  There is a 50% chance of getting glaucoma with this condition.

Peter’s Anomaly

This is a condition that can be inherited that causes development anomalies in the front part of the eye; corneal opacities, lens opacity, iris defects, anterior chamber angle defects.  There is a 50% chance of getting glaucoma with this condition.

Rieger’s Anomaly

This is a condition that can be inherited that causes development anomalies in the front part of the eye; iris defects, multiple pupils (pseudopolycoria), and displaced pupils (corectopia).  There is a 50% chance of getting glaucoma with this condition.

This condition is Rieger’s Anomaly with dental problems.  One’s teeth are deformed, small or missing.  There is a 50% chance of getting glaucoma with this condition.