Updated December 30, 2014.

Although like cataracts, people often think of glaucoma as a condition that only adults and seniors can get, it is important to remember that infants and children can get glaucoma too. In fact, some children are born with glaucoma (congenital glaucoma).

Symptoms of Glaucoma

• cloudy cornea (usually transparent part of the eye in front of the pupil)
• one eye becoming larger than the other
• excessive tearing (epiphora)

• light sensitivity (photophobia)
• excessive blinking (blepharospasm)
• strabismus (crossed or out-turned eyes)
• decreased vision (amblyopia)

Many infants have excessive tearing caused by a blocked tear duct, but they should not have any of these other symptoms. If your infant has been diagnosed with a blocked tear duct and is very fussy, you might see a Pediatric Ophthalmologist for a second opinion to make sure that he doesn't have glaucoma.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

• Aniridia
• Marfan's syndrome
• Sturge-Weber syndrome
• Neurofibromatosis
• Down's syndrome
• Steroid therapy, including inhaled steroids for asthma and nasal steroids for allergies

See this outline of Primary and Secondary Childhood Glaucomas for a more complete list of diseases and conditions associated with glaucoma in children.

For More Information

• Glaucoma
• Children's Glaucoma Foundation
• Glaucoma and Children
• Childhood Glaucoma

References

• Yanoff: Ophthalmology, 2nd ed.