PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH PRIMARY CONGENITAL GLAUCOMA TO A TERTIARY REFERRAL CENTER

Document Type : Preliminary preprint short reports of original research

Authors

1 Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

2 Department of Opthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a rare, genetically derived, developmental defect in the trabecular meshwork and anterior chamber angle that occurs without other significant ocular or systemic anomalies.Other features, e.g., elevated intraocular pressure (IOP); corneal enlargement, or presence of Haabstriae or corneal opacity, or both; and progressive optic nerve cupping, may also be present
The incidence of PCG ranges from ~1 in 10,000–30,000 births in Western countries to the highest of 1:1250 in Slovakian Gypsies. Defined ethnic groups, e.g., Pakistani, Bangladeshis, and Indians, with an elevated level of consanguinity within them, tend to have increased incidences
The child’s glaucoma manifests with one or more of the “classic triad” of findings: epiphora, photophobia, and blepharospasm
Surgical intervention constitutes the definitive treatment modality for PCG
Medications play an adjunctive role to surgery in the therapy of PCG, Preoperatively, medications may help clear the cornea to facilitate goniotomy, and postoperatively, they may help control IOP until the adequacy of the surgical procedure has been verified.

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