Our COP9 health center, created by Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, is particularly addressed to patients affected by glaucoma. Our surgeon ophthalmologist is specialized in pediatrics and shares her expertise and professionalism in treating congenital glaucoma. In this article, we will once more see the peculiarities of this pathology, how to screen for it, what kind of children can be affected by it, and finally how to cure it.
What is congenital glaucoma?
As a rare ocular pathology, congenital glaucoma consists in an increase of ocular pressure. This tension will cause a lesion and an irreversible optical nerve damage. Without the proper treatment prescribed by an ophthalmologist specialized in pediactrics, risks of vision impairment, blindness even, are high.
Our eye surgeon, Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger will counsel and accompany you along the diagnosis and healthcare pathway of your child, if he or she is affected by this vision disturbance.
The high ocular pressure will cause a buphthalmos, which results in an increase of the ocular volume. This symptom is similar in congenital glaucoma and retinoblastoma. Because of this eye elongation, clearing the intraocular liquid out can be difficult. The pressure then increases, leading to a tension on the optical nerve.
This type of glaucoma affects only children. It is categorized as an ophthalmological emergency, since it affects the still growing eye-ball. The field of vision and its preservation depends on the timeliness of care and the procedure of the health professional that a fast online appointment can provide.
How to screen congenital Glaucoma
Congenital Glaucoma can be detected with an ophthalmological examination performed by trained professionals (ophthalmologist, orthoptist). Both eyes are tested in order to check their ocular pressure.
Here are a few symptoms that indicate it is necessary to make an appointment for a screening:
- a chronicle watery eye;
- a bluish eye;
- photosensitivity.
Ophthalmological examinations, such as a fundus, allows to detect even the slightest anomaly. For example:
- a buphthalmos;
- a Cloudy cornea;
- an ocular hypertension;
- a cavity at the center of the optical nerve, caused by the loss of nerve fibers.
Strabismus in children, myopia, hypermetropia, or even astigmatism can also be diagnosed through these ocular examinations. Do not hesitate to read our corresponding articles in the “News” section of our website!
Who’s concerned with congenital glaucoma?
Congenital glaucoma can be associated with other pathologies, such as ocular abnormalities, refraction disorder, or just be isolated. That is why the child must follow a complete ocular check-up, and a genetic research might be necessary as well.
During pediatric ophthalmological appointment, it is important to give to your specialist relevant information regarding your family history and genetic diseases. However, this pathology sometimes happens with children, while no member of the family has ever been affected with primary infantile glaucoma.
There are two types of congenital glaucoma:
- The hereditary glaucoma, which is genetic, and also called primary congenital glaucoma;
- The glaucoma associated with other ocular pathologies (caused by a trauma or an inflammation) called secondary glaucoma.
Treating congenital glaucoma: how?
As your eye-surgeon will tell you, treating congenital glaucoma can be done via a surgical treatment. It mainly is the only medical treatment that can cure this ocular infantile pathology. In addition, a medicated treatment can be prescribed, in order to eliminate all the risks or side effects during post-operative.
This procedure is performed under anesthesia, during a brief hospitalization. The surgery in itself is either based on:
The type of procedure depends on the evolution of glaucoma as well as the method supported by the eye-surgeon.
The post-operative follow-up is at least as important as the surgery in itself. The child will need visual therapy with an orthoptist in order to prevent the eye that underwent the procedure from amblyopia.
The COP9 team draws your attention to the fact that the patient needs to be checked throughout his or her entire life. Even as an adult or a senior, it is important to perform a measurement of the intraocular pressure on a regular basis.
And so, to answer the question : treating congenital glaucoma, how to do so? By meeting us in our COP9 ophthalmological center! We will welcome you, you and your child, for personalized care, performed with kindness and our state-of-the-art equipment. Our orthoptists will accompany you through field of vision examinations, and our pediatric ophthalmologist will know how to detect any congenital glaucoma related anomaly.
Ensure your child with excellent eye health by meeting with us in our practice in Paris!