Babies are cute with their small bodies and big eyes. Their big eyes make them irresistible, so we fall in love with them and protect them. Prominent eyes are not the same as having big eyeballs. A baby’s eyes are about two-thirds smaller than in adulthood.
But there is more to the cuteness of their big eyes. Having large eyes can indicate a very serious eye problem that an eye expert should check for any condition that can lead to glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the silent thief of vision and some children are born with the condition. It is a serious condition that can affect one or both eyes. It needs attention and untreated cases are a major cause of childhood blindness.
“Glaucoma affects all age groups, including a baby born today. When you see those large and beautiful eyes, they are not just beautiful. It should be checked by an eye doctor to be sure that there is nothing wrong with the child’s eyes,” Dr Olusola Olawoye, head of glaucoma Services at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said.
She declared that a baby whose eyes are white, watery, and sensitive to light needs to see an ophthalmologist because they may also be a sign of congenital glaucoma.
“The eye will be bringing out tears without crying, it may be in one or the two eyes,” she added.
The most common glaucoma in babies and small children occurs when the eye hasn’t developed properly in the womb and this leads to issues with the flow of aqueous fluid out of the eye. If the fluid is unable to drain effectively, it builds up inside the eye and causes the eye pressure to rise. This causes stress to the optic nerve and may lead to permanent damage to vision.
Infants and children with glaucoma typically have different signs and symptoms than adults. Congenital glaucoma occurs at birth while infantile glaucoma occurs in the first three years of life. Another form of glaucoma called juvenile glaucoma can affect children.
She declared that children may also develop glaucoma as an aftermath of eye injury, maybe from the cane, broomstick or rubber band that accidentally hits the eye.
“Some of these children come down with secondary glaucoma, being that it caused a specific condition or disease. What happens is that everywhere inside the eye heals and the places where you are supposed to have drainage of the eye fluid get blocked, thus, increasing the intraocular pressure, damage to the optic nerve, and loss of vision. We see a lot of these cases in the eye clinic,” she declared.
Dr Olawoye declared that some other practices also put children at risk of eye infections and if severe, and not properly treated, causing blindness.
“Sometimes the infection can go on for such a long time that the eye melts completely, especially with the use of urine, chemical substances, cow dung and onions. They apply these things to the eye, thinking that it will help their vision.
“Unfortunately, they don’t, but rather cause additional bacterial infection in the eye. The eye is such a delicate organ that when it is infected, it is very difficult for antibiotics to penetrate. So, it becomes very difficult for us to tackle it.”
Also, she declared that inadvertent use of steroidal eye drops for various allergic diseases of the eye is bad can cause blinding glaucoma, thus, it is vital to consult an eye specialist even for the slightest ailment of the eye as a child’s eyes are very sensitive.
Dr Olawoye cautioned parents against delaying taken children with one eye appearing larger than the other, excessive tearing, sensitive to light or who closure of one or both eyes in the light, saying they need to be older before the eyes are properly tested by an eye doctor.
“They see all these symptoms but they think because it is a baby, and making different excuses that seeking medical care can wait till the baby grows up. So, the earlier it is checked the better, especially when the child is also complaining that he or she is having difficulty seeing the chalkboard from a distance, don’t assume that a child is too small and cannot have glaucoma.
“Even when a child is diagnosed with glaucoma, parents should make sure they come to the eye clinic for follow-up regularly.”
Specific treatment for glaucoma will be determined by the eye doctor based on the child›s age, overall health, medical history, extent of the disease, tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies, and other factors.
Children diagnosed with glaucoma have a higher risk of developing other eye issues as they get older. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment, combined with careful monitoring, are crucial for long-term eye health. The good news is that early detection can prevent severe damage and save eyesight.
Experts say approximately 80 to 90% of babies who receive prompt surgical treatment will do well and may have normal or nearly normal vision for their lifetime.
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