Childhood Glaucoma and Amblyopia

Childhood glaucoma is a potentially blinding condition that afflicts infants and young children, either immediately at birth or within the first few months or years of life. In most populations, primary infantile glaucoma is rare, and usually seen in 1:10,000 live births, whereas in other societies where intermarriage is common, the rate could go up to 1:5000 or even 1:2500 [10, 16]. The significance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment cannot be overemphasized. An infant with congenital glaucoma exhibits specific clinical findings, and the diagnosis is thus easily made. Unfortunately, the typical symptoms of glaucoma may occasionally be attributed (usually by non-ophthalmologists) to other, less serious conditions, such as congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Therefore, family practitioners and pediatricians must always keep this serious condition in mind and refer the infant promptly for specialized care.