GLAUCOMA, ACUTE INFANTILE |
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DESCRIPTIONAcute infantile glaucoma is a condition of a child's eye in which the fluid that normally drains into and out of the eye is suddenly obstructed. The obstruction causes the child severe pain and loss of vision. Glaucoma may develop soon after birth, or during infancy and adolescence.
Appropriate health care includes:
Doctor's treatment. Call immediately. This is an emergency!
Hospitalization during the attack until pressure in the child's eye decreases.
Surgery (iredectomy with laser beam) to prevent further attacks--if other treatment is unsuccessful.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Extreme sensitivity to light.
Severe, throbbing eye pain and headache.
Redness in the child's eye.
Blurred vision or halos around lights.
Vomiting and weakness.
Tender, firm eyeball.
Dilated, fixed pupil.
Swollen upper eyelid.
Enlargement and clouding of the child's cornea.
CAUSES
Unknown.
RISK FACTORS
Family history of glaucoma or farsightedness.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCENo known prevention measures for acute infantile glaucoma.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory studies such as tonometry (measurement of pressure within the eyeball).
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSTotal blindness in the child's affected eye, if treatment is delayed or unsuccessful.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Your child's symptoms can be controlled and infantile glaucoma can sometimes be cured if treatment begins quickly.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREFollow post-operative instructions of your eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) if hospitalization was required, or your doctor's general instructions if hospitalization was not required.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe:
Eye drops to lower pressure inside the child's eye. Follow the instructions and schedule carefully, even if your child's symptoms subside or the eye drops are occasionally uncomfortable.
Diuretics to decrease fluid pressure in the child's eye.
Pain relievers.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
After treatment, your child can resume normal activities gradually, but the child should avoid fatigue.
DIET & FLUIDS
Your child should adhere to a low-salt diet.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?Yes, after successful treatment.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has symptoms of acute glaucoma. This is an emergency!
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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