Congenital glaucoma is a rare eye disease that develops in babies soon after birth or within the first few years of life. The condition is caused by a structural defect that causes intraocular pressure to rise when fluid inside the eye cannot escape normally. High intraocular pressure can lead to damage to the optic nerve and, over time, can cause vision loss.
Symptoms of congenital glaucoma can include
The causes of congenital glaucoma are not fully known, but genetic factors are thought to be involved. Also, a defect in the normal development of the eye or an abnormality in the tissue or canal structures within the eye may play a role.
Treatment of congenital glaucoma usually involves surgery. The surgery aims to correct the drainage system of the eye to reduce intraocular pressure. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent vision loss, so an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately when any symptoms are noticed in babies. Early intervention can, in most cases, support normal vision development and prevent permanent vision loss.