Can young people get glaucoma?
In children, glaucoma is often congenital or developmental, linked to abnormal formation of the eye's drainage system. This form may present with enlarged eyes, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, or cloudy corneas.
New Delhi: Glaucoma is not a single disease. It is a group of eye disorders in which the optic nerves, which connect the eyes to the brain, are progressively damaged, usually due to raised intraocular pressure or impaired blood flow to the nerve. While age is a major risk factor, glaucoma can occur at any stage of life, including infancy, childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.
Can young people get glaucoma?
Dr Pradeep Balam, Consultant – Glucoma, Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, in an interview with TV9 English, said that young people can get glaucoma, though it is rarer than in older adults and often goes undetected until vision is affected. The expert went on to talk about the crises in people of various age groups. Read on to know how it develops in people of various age groups.
In children, glaucoma is often congenital or developmental, linked to abnormal formation of the eye’s drainage system. This form may present with enlarged eyes, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, or cloudy corneas. Early diagnosis is critical, as untreated childhood glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.
In teenagers and young adults, glaucoma is typically secondary or inherited. Genetic predisposition, high eye pressure, extreme short-sightedness, eye injuries, prolonged steroid use, or systemic conditions such as diabetes can increase risk. Importantly, early-onset glaucoma is frequently asymptomatic, meaning vision loss begins silently from the periphery and progresses inward.
Because people often assume glaucoma is an "older person’s disease,” symptoms may be ignored or routine eye exams delayed. This is concerning, as optic nerve damage is irreversible, but progression can be slowed or halted if detected early.
Regular comprehensive eye examinations, including eye pressure measurement and optic nerve evaluation, are essential for individuals with a family history of glaucoma or other risk factors, regardless of age. Awareness is key: glaucoma is uncommon in the young, but when it occurs, early detection makes the difference between preserved vision and lifelong impairment. Glaucoma does not discriminate based on age, but rather on whether it is detected in time.