Ocular Hypertension Can Also Occur in Infants

Turkish Ophthalmological Society (TOD) has made important statements regarding glaucoma, known as eye pressure, noting that the disease can occur in newborns and children just as it does in adults, and that failure to diagnose it early can lead to permanent vision loss. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş, Member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Society Glaucoma Unit, stated that glaucoma is a disease generally characterized by elevated intraocular pressure, but can also occur in patients with normal pressure, and provided the following explanations on the subject: "The main characteristic feature is chronic damage to the optic nerve, a loss. Glaucoma is generally a very insidious disease that produces no symptoms, and if left untreated over years, it can result in blindness."

May go undiagnosed until vision loss occurs

Prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş noted that eye pressure can manifest with visual field loss or even vision loss if diagnosis is missed, emphasizing that routine examinations are vital, and stated: "During routine clinical examination, we generally reach a diagnosis in patients we suspect and ask 'Could this patient have eye pressure?' Routine eye examinations are therefore of vital importance. Glaucoma has rare subtypes, what we call angle-closure glaucoma. In those cases, there may also be complaints such as head and forehead pain, and sometimes blurred vision. These complaints must definitely be investigated. Our patients need to be aware regarding glaucoma and attend regular eye doctor check-ups."  

Drug therapy effective in early diagnosis

Prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş stated that those with a family history of eye pressure should not neglect their check-ups, and that since the disease has genetic transmission, it constitutes an important risk factor for both adults and children in these families. Explaining that the medical history of family members needs to be investigated, Aktaş continued: "In some cases, glaucoma risk can increase. If a person has diabetes, has previously sustained eye trauma, has undergone eye surgery, or has used corticosteroid-containing eye drops for extended periods, the frequency of eye pressure development is higher in these individuals. Glaucoma can also manifest in children or newborn infants. At this point, we recommend that not only parents but also ophthalmologists, neonatologists and pediatricians remain vigilant." "Glaucoma seen in infants is a developmental condition that occurs in the womb. In these children, it typically causes complaints such as eye enlargement, increase in corneal diameter, cloudiness, tearing, light sensitivity, and eye squinting in infants. Initially, we can proceed with drug therapy in early diagnosis. However, glaucoma occurring in childhood and infants is generally treated surgically."