Marathi: जन्मजात आणि बालपणातील काचबिंदू (काळा मोतिया)
Glaucoma is usually thought of as a disease of older adults, but it can also affect babies and children. In congenital glaucoma, the eye’s natural drainage channel is malformed from birth, so fluid cannot escape and pressure builds up inside the eye. Because a young child’s eye is soft and elastic, this high pressure makes the whole eye enlarge and the cornea turn cloudy — and, if untreated, it damages the optic nerve and causes irreversible blindness.
Signs Parents Can Notice
- Excessive watering of one or both eyes, often mistaken for a blocked tear duct.
- Sensitivity to light — the child turns away from bright light or buries the face.
- Frequent squeezing or blinking of the eyelids.
- Large, prominent eyes or a hazy, cloudy cornea instead of a clear, sparkling one.
Treatment
Childhood glaucoma is treated primarily with surgery to open or bypass the faulty drainage channel (goniotomy, trabeculotomy or drainage implants), often supported by pressure-lowering drops. The earlier the pressure is controlled, the better the chance of preserving vision and preventing the eye from enlarging further. Lifelong follow-up is essential. At Suraj Eye Institute, our glaucoma specialists manage paediatric glaucoma with microsurgical techniques and careful long-term monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
My baby’s eyes water a lot — is it always glaucoma?
Not always; a blocked tear duct is a more common cause. But watering combined with light sensitivity, eyelid squeezing, or large/cloudy eyes must be evaluated to rule out glaucoma.
Can childhood glaucoma be cured?
It can be controlled, often very successfully, especially when treated early. Surgery frequently restores normal pressure, but children need lifelong monitoring to keep vision safe.
Is the eye enlargement reversible?
Once pressure is controlled, the cornea often clears and the eye stabilises, though some enlargement may remain. Early treatment limits permanent change.
Will my child need glasses too?
Often yes. Children with glaucoma frequently need glasses and amblyopia treatment alongside pressure control to achieve their best possible vision.
Childhood glaucoma is an emergency for sight. Consult our specialists at Suraj Eye Institute.
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