Pediatric Glaucoma

Normal eyes have pressure. Glaucoma is the abnormal elevation of eye pressure with resultant ocular and optic nerve injury causing loss of vision. Childhood glaucoma develops in 1 out of 10,000 children.



Pediatric glaucoma is very different from adult glaucoma. Pediatric glaucoma has many causes:
  • Genetic (e.g. congenital glaucoma, infantile glaucoma, juvenile glaucoma)
  • Following cataract surgery (aphakic glaucoma)
  • Due to ocular inflammation (iritis)
  • Trauma
  • Malformations of the eye (Axenfeld-Rieger, aniridia, Peters anomaly)
  • Diseases which affect the rest of the body (Sturge-Weber Syndrome, Lowe Syndrome, congenital rubella)
There is a normal physiologic flow of fluid out of the eye. Glaucoma occurs when this drainage is impeded by abnormal development or injury to the porous drainage tissues.

Childhood glaucoma may be of primary genetic origin or occur secondary to other pediatric eye diseases. A wide variety of systemic diseases may cause childhood glaucoma and must be considered in children with glaucoma.

Can childhood glaucoma be cured?
Treatment of glaucoma can be most successful when initiated as early as possible. Both drugs and surgery are successfully used to treat childhood glaucoma.

How is childhood glaucoma diagnosed?
Most young children show symptoms which can lead to an eye examination, measurement of eye pressure and diagnosis of glaucoma. An increased risk for childhood glaucoma may be suggested by family history or presence of a systemic disease known to be associated with childhood glaucoma.

What about research?
Both basic and clinical research are vital to support continued improvement in the care of children with glaucoma. New information leading to the prevention of glaucoma is also possible.

When to see a doctor?
Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for children with glaucoma to save their vision. The significance of signs of elevated eye pressure may not be obvious. Parents should look for these symptoms:
  • Cloudy, enlarged corneas
  • One eye larger than the other
  • Light sensitivity
  • Excessive tearing without discharge
When these warning signs of glaucoma are present, a prompt examination for your child by your pediatrician, family physician or pediatric eye doctor is indicated.

At Friedberg Eye Associates we have Dr. Prieto who practices and specializes in the care and surgery of all eye diseases of infants and children.  She has extensive experience in the eye care of premature infants in neonatal intensive care units across southern New Jersey.

To find out more information on pediatric glaucoma visit: childrensglaucomafoundation.org, pgcfa.org or aapos.org

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