Eye Pressure in Babies Can Have Bad Consequences

Turkish Society of Ophthalmology (TOD) stated that glaucoma, known as glaucoma, can be seen in newborn babies and children as well as adults.

Turkish Ophthalmology Association Glaucoma Unit Member Prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş stated that glaucoma is a disease that is usually characterized by high eye pressure, but it can also be seen in patients with normal blood pressure. Glaucoma is a very insidious disease that does not usually show symptoms, and if left untreated over the years, it can result in blindness.” said.

prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş pointed out that eye pressure can occur with visual field losses or even with vision loss if not diagnosed, and therefore routine examinations are of vital importance, and said:

“During the routine clinical examination, he became suspicious and asked, 'Could this patient have glaucoma?' We usually make a diagnosis in the patients we examine. That's why routine eye examinations are vital. There are rare subtypes of glaucoma, what we call angle-closure glaucoma. They may also have complaints such as headache, forehead pain, and blurred vision from time to time. These complaints must be investigated. In terms of glaucoma, our patients need to be alert and go to regular eye doctor checks.”

prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş said that those with a family history of eye pressure should not delay their controls, and that the disease is genetically inherited, and that both adults and children in these families constitute an important risk factor. Explaining that family members' disease history should be investigated, Aktaş said, "In some cases, the risk of glaucoma may increase. If a person has diabetes, has had a blow to the eye before, has undergone intraocular surgery, or has used long-term steroid eye drops, the incidence of eye pressure is higher in these individuals. Glaucoma can also occur in children or newborn babies. At this point, we recommend that ophthalmologists, newborns and pediatricians, as well as parents, be vigilant.” he said.

Aktaş concluded his words as follows:

“Glaucoma in babies is a developmental condition that occurs in the womb. In these children, complaints such as enlargement of the eye, increase in the diameter of the cornea of ​​the eye, turbidity, watering, sensitivity to light, squinting can occur in babies. First of all, we can move forward with drug treatment in early diagnosis. However, the treatment of childhood and infant glaucoma is usually surgical.”