Prim ary Congenital

G laucom a
Priscilla Saavedra

D escription
Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is an eye disease
that affects children between the ages of birth and 3
years.
A disease that causes permanent and characteristic
damage to the optic nerve, usually associated with
abnormally high intraocular pressure.
It affects about one in every 10,000 infants.

About
In a healthy eye, the fluid leaves through a network of
cells and tissue that functions as a tiny drain. To replace
the fluid that drains, the eye continuously makes more
fluid. With glaucoma the fluid doesn't drain properly and
the buildup of fluid causes the eye pressure to rise.
Increased pressure from the excess fluid damages the
fibers that make up the optic nerve.

H ow G laucom a Aff
ects The Eye
Caused by increased pressure inside the eye. The
abnormally high pressure is due to resistance to the
flow of the normal circulation of eye fluid (aqueous).
This eye fluid is needed to provide proper pressure to
the eye. It also delivers nutrients to the interior parts of
the eye.

Causes
The cause of primary congenital glaucoma is not clearly
understood. Some cases are inherited. But others are
not. The problem of improper drainage of fluid is the
result of the lack of full or proper development before
birth of the network of cells and tissue that make up the
drain.

W ho Is Likely to have PCG

It's hard to predict which babies will be born with
primary congenital glaucoma. One risk factor is a family
history of congenital glaucoma. If the first and second
child have the disease, the risk increases significantly
for later children.
About twice as many boys as girls are born with primary
congenital glaucoma. It sometimes can affect just one
eye. But in three out of every four cases both eyes are
affected.

Sym ptom s
Involuntary protective closing of the eyelids
Painful oversensitivity to light
Excessive tearing
Cloudiness of the cornea, the normally clear front layer
of the eye
Enlargement of one or both eyes
Red eye

Treatm ent
The first choice for treating primary congenital
glaucoma is almost always surgery. And because of the
risk for young children associated with anesthesia, the
surgery is often performed at the same time the
diagnosis is confirmed. If the primary congenital
glaucoma affects both eyes, the doctor will normally
operate on both at the same time.
When surgery can't be performed immediately, the
doctor will prescribe eye drops, oral medicine, or a
combination of both to help control pressure before
surgery.