Childhood Glaucoma ✅ Flashcards
Is childhood glaucoma common?
No, it is rare
Why is childhood glaucoma significant?
It is a potentially blinding condition
What is childhood glaucoma characterised by?
Raised IOP and optic disc cupping
What is the optic cup?
The pale central area of the optic disc
What produces the optic cup?
In the normal optic nerve head, the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons are concentrated around the circumference of the optic disc, leaving a pale central area relatively devoid of axons
What happens to the optic cup in glaucoma?
The relative size of the optic cup (cup:disc ratio) gradually enlarges
Why does the cup:disc ratio enlarge in glaucoma?
The raised IOP causes retinal ganglion cell death, so the number of axons passing through the optic nerve head opening reduces
What will uncontrolled glaucoma lead to clinically?
Peripheral visual field loss
What is the problem with the presentation of uncontrolled glaucoma?
Peripheral visual field loss is difficult to detect in children
How does the presentation of glaucoma differ to that of optic neuritis or optic atrophy?
The optic neuropathy of glaucoma is not characterised by the early loss of visual acuity or colour vision that is seen with optic neuritis or optic atrophy
Why do you not get early loss of visual acuity or colour vision in glaucoma?
Because the RGCs serving the macula are the last to be damaged
What is the normal intra-ocular pressure in children?
6-18mmHg
In what setting can intra-ocular pressure in children be measured?
In eye clinic
What causes raised IOP?
Impaired aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork
What will happen with raised IOP in children under 3?
It will result in globe expansion (buphthalmos)