Pediatric glaucoma, a serious eye condition, may not seem as common as its adult counterpart to parents or even some healthcare professionals. However, its prompt detection and treatment are crucial to preserving a child’s vision. If you treat young patients, it is essential for you to recognize these five early warning signs of pediatric glaucoma.
A Cloudy Cornea
One of the initial symptoms to look out for in a young patient is a cloudy cornea. Younger patients might not be able to articulate their discomfort properly, but an attentive eye care professional should not miss this telltale sign.
Adversity to Light
A child exhibiting abnormal sensitivity to light might be experiencing the early stages of glaucoma. Photophobia and other accompanying symptoms, such as squinting or closing their eyes, may indicate that they are developing this condition. As an eye care specialist, you must differentiate between typical adverse reactions to light and those that indicate glaucoma.
Asymmetry in Eye Size
As aberrant as it might sound, another early warning sign of pediatric glaucoma is a visible difference in the size of your pediatric patient’s eyes. In the case of pediatric glaucoma, one eye might be noticeably bigger than the other.
Unexplained Tearing
Another warning sign to bear in mind is excessive tearing in your young patients. While pediatric tearing can stem from various causes, such as infections or allergies, copious tearing without other symptoms could signal pediatric glaucoma.
Vision Difficulties
In some cases, young patients may exhibit vision difficulties, suggesting the possibility of glaucoma. These challenges might manifest as an inability to focus on objects, an inability to see from the side, or a loss of vision altogether. As a healthcare professional, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the root cause of these visual difficulties and identify whether glaucoma is a contributing factor.
As an ophthalmologist or optometrist who treats young patients, you have the unique responsibility to identify and address the early warning signs of pediatric glaucoma. It is also important to ensure that you diagnose your patients with the proper tools. At Automated Ophthalmics, we make our disposable Tono-Pen tips ourselves, ensuring you never have to wait on a back order and can stay in stock to treat your young patients.