Fahad I Al-Saikhan
Introduction: The treatment of pediatric glaucoma is normally complicated in this population owing to the visual immaturity of pediatric patients. Its basic pathophysiology shows an abnormally elevated intraocular pressure that causes the production of optic nerve damage and the consequent visual loss in infants and toddlers. Various and current treatments of pediatric glaucoma have been explored in this paper. These include; surgical treatments, Latanoprost, alpha-2-selective agonists, levobetaxolol, brinzolamide, topical versus oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy, dorzolamide, trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with releasable satures, antimetabolites, and cyclocryotherapy.
Methodology: The article carries out a literature review that focuses on current studies regarding pediatric glaucoma. A cross-sectional study on the most recent established and verified researches on the treatments studied has been analyzed and discussed. 25 literatures were chosen depending on their year of publication, giving an emphasis on studies done four to five years ago.
Findings: Most of these treatments focus on reducing fluid production and reduction of intraocular pressure. Medical treatments are preferred in relation to surgical ones and treatments such as Latanoplast, brimonidine, brinzolamide, Levabetaxolol, dorzolamide, and antimetabolite and releasable rise of surgery filtration have been proven safe and effective depending on the type of pediatric glaucoma.
Conclusion: It is notable that, the success of the current treatments of pediatric glaucoma depends largely on early diagnosis and effective and adequate control of IOP. The specific treatment is determined by nature and type of pediatric glaucoma present and in most cases, both medical and surgical treatments are preferable.