Eligibility For Paediatric Glaucoma Treatment

When it comes to treating glaucoma in children, it’s crucial to identify if a child qualifies for the treatment. Here is the eligibility criteria for childhood eye pressure treatment:

• Diagnosis: A comprehensive eye examination is crucial. Doctors will check the child’s eye pressure, the angle where the eye’s fluids drain, and look for any damage to the optic nerve or changes in the cornea size.
• Symptoms: Children showing signs like excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, cloudy eyes, or unusually large eyes should undergo further evaluation for potential glaucoma.
• Age and History: Glaucoma can affect children of any age, but primary congenital glaucoma is often diagnosed within the first year of life.

Initial Examinations

To figure out if a child needs paediatric glaucoma surgery, doctors perform several checks:

• Visual Acuity Tests: These tests assess how well a child can see and if there is any vision loss.
• Ophthalmoscopy: Using this test, doctors examine the optic nerve to detect any damage.
• Gonioscopy: This test helps in evaluating how well fluids are draining from the eye.
• Tonometry: It measures the pressure inside the eye.

How is Paediatric Glaucoma Treatment Performed?

Glaucoma treatment for children often involves surgery, with medicines offering support. Here’s how the process typically includes:

• Anaesthesia: Children receive general anaesthesia so they remain asleep and pain-free during the surgery.
• Goniotomy and Trabeculotomy: These surgeries aim to improve fluid drainage from the eye by creating small openings in its drainage system.
• Trabeculectomy: This procedure creates a new channel for fluid to leave the eye, which helps in reducing pressure.
• Tube Shunt Surgery: A tiny tube gets implanted in the eye to assist with fluid drainage.

How To Prepare For Paediatric Glaucoma Treatment?

Getting ready for paediatric glaucoma surgery involves several steps:

• Medical History Review: Share your child’s health history and any known allergies with the doctor.
• Pre-surgical Tests: Complete any tests that your doctor recommends before the surgery date.
• Medication Management: Inform the doctor about any ongoing medications your child is taking. Follow their advice on whether to continue or stop them before surgery.
• Dietary Restrictions: Follow fasting instructions if required for your child’s anaesthesia.
• Arrange Post-operative Care: Plan for someone to be with your child after surgery to provide care and support.

Post-Procedure Care After Paediatric Glaucoma Treatment

After paediatric glaucoma surgery, here’s what you can expect and what you should do:

• Monitor for Signs of Infection: Look out for any redness, discharge, or increased pain around your child’s eyes. Inform your doctor if these occur.
• Use Eye Drops as Prescribed: Follow your doctor’s instructions on using prescribed drops to prevent infection and control inflammation.
• Attend Follow-up Appointments: Regular doctor visits are important to check how well your child is healing and ensure their eye pressure is managed.
• Protect the Eyes: Make sure your child wears protective eyewear to avoid injury during recovery.
• Maintain Hygiene: Encourage washing hands before touching around their eyes to prevent infection.
• Keep the Eye Moisturised: Use artificial tears if recommended by your doctor to avoid dryness.
• Follow Dietary and Activity Restrictions: Stick to any specific dietary or physical activity instructions from your doctor for a smooth recovery.