Secondary Glaucoma

[SSidi]

At the last doctor check my daughter intra ocular pressure were 29 in her right eye and 19 in the left one. She was born with congenital cataract and had surgery for that at Age 6 weeks. Doctor said she has glaucoma on the right eye and left one Needs to be monitored...Does this mean she will be blind at some Point in her life or is it possible that the glaucoma doesn't cause any damage is monitored and treated continuously? Is it worth buying an Icare home Tonometer to better Monitor the pressure?

[JohnHaganMD]

I don't want to quibble but your daughter almost assuredly has congenital glaucoma present at birth along with the congential cataract. Aphakic glaucoma is a descriptive term meaning the lens of the eye has been removed. So you can have congential, aphakic glaucoma. If you wish you can confirm your next visit.

I don't think your doctors will be concerned about IOP 6-8 but you can ask them if it makes you feel better

JCHMD

[SSidi]

Thank you for your answer! Her doctor explained that she can't determine if the growth is a consequence of the glaucoma or not. My daughter has aphakic Glaucoma and not congenital glaucoma. At the check today pressure was 6 in one eye and 8 in the other. Dr.wasn't concerned about it being too low. I trust her doctor and find her excellent and clear but I can't help worriying....Pressure went down from 29 and 19 to 6 and 8 within a Month with the use of eye drops morning and evening. Should we worry about the low pressure? Her next check is end of October should we ask that dr.sees her earlier?

[JohnHaganMD]

At age 6 months its not likely that the eye has grown 3 mm in half a year.  Congential glaucoma can cause an eye to enlarge. It's also possible that the original measurement might not have been accurate due to difficulties of examining infants and children. Good question for your ophthalmology team. It would be interesting to know the readings on the fellow eye.

JCH MD

[SSidi]

Dear Dr.Hagan,
Many thanks for your answer. Eventually my daughter didn't need surgery. It looks like the drops are working perfectly for her. Her pressure was as low as 8 at last exam.
One puzzling thing: We were told she had microphtalmia at birth because her TAL measure was just below 16 but at last exam she was 6 months and her TAL measure was above 19 in both eyes. They couldn't tell us if it's natural growth of the eye or a consequence of glaucoma. If you have any hints it's more than welcome!

[JohnHaganMD]

Gest of luck.  Your capable ophthalmologists will advise whether home tonometry is worthwhile. It does not mean she will be blind in the RE but vision likely will not be great.  The most important eye is the LE and everything must be done to protect it from disease or injury. Lifelong ophthalmological care will be needed

JCH MD

[SSidi]

She's treated in the University Hospital on the City where we live so I think they're good. Thank you very much ina dvance for your help and answers

[SSidi]

She is 6 months. She sees a pediatric ohptalmologist and she's been on Drops for 3 weeks now.. She'll be having an exam under General anesthesy next week and depending on the findings they will operate her or not..

[JohnHaganMD]

How old is your daughter?

If she has glaucoma it needs to be treated. Does she see a pediatric ophthalmologist?

JCH MD