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Primary congenital glaucoma (Bupthalmos) is a congenital disease caused by an abnormal development of the anterior chamber angle structures involved in the drainage of aqueous humor. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance in this type of glaucoma which is more common in Male babies. The incidence is about 1 in 15,000 live births.
Medical treatment is of little value. The patient will have to undergo surgery to salvage vision and should be done within 10 months. Since there is a possibility of a relapse the patient should be seen by the ophthalmologist on a regular basis.
The case of baby Sivasakthi
Sivasakthi, a baby boy who is just 1½ years old, is one among the several unfortunate children, who are born with primary congenital glaucoma. His mother and grandmother brought Sivasakthi to Aravind Eye Hospital on May 20.
How Sivasakthi came to Aravind
An Interview with the mother and grandmother of Sivasakthi revealed the tragic story in his life.
Sivasakthi is a precious baby, born out of a first-degree consanguineous marriage between Mr. Thangam and Ms. Murugamma, after about 10 years of primary infertility. He was born in the district of Uppukottai in the state of Karnataka. He was born in a government maternity hospital in Krishnagiri. The obstetrician advised them to get treated at a higher centre for the eye problem. He was taken to government hospitals in Krishnagiri and Bangalore, but there was no proper guidance. Finally, he was shown to an ophthalmologist in his hometown, in May – 2004. The doctor who diagnosed the baby advised them to take the baby to Aravind Eye Hospital as soon as possible as he is having a congenital glaucoma, and also explained the need for immediate surgery.
Unaware of the urgency of the situation and because of financial reasons they postponed the visit. Eventually, they appealed to a women’s self – help group in their hometown, and managed to collect the required amount of money from them (Rs.5000) with the help of the money and a family friend to help them; they finally reached Aravind, after 1½ years.
Sivasakthi’s father deserted his wife and so Sivasakthi was brought to Aravind Eye Hospital by his grandmother and mother, with complaints of Photophobia, watering and defective vision in both eyes since birth. At Aravind the Ophthalmologists confirmed the earlier diagnosis.The child did have congenital glaucoma and the disease had severely damaged his right eye.
Once admitted Sivasakthi underwent trabeculectomy in both eyes under general anaesthesia. His post-operative stay proved uneventful and the cornea was cleared in the Left Eye. He showed good improvement however the visual prognosis in the Right Eye is uncertain and this has been explained to the family.
There may be several hundreds of kids like Sivasakthi, who could be becoming blind, due to congenital glaucoma. With proper advice and guidance, they may get productive vision, and lead a healthy normal life and have a bright future.
Need for Awareness
The story of Sivasakthi highlights how poverty and lack of awareness due to illiteracy, can affect the vision and thus the quality of life, of these innocent children. Awareness needs to be created among general practitioners and especially obstetricians and paediatricians about the importance of early referral and intervention in cases of primary congenital glaucoma. |
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