Glaucoma in a 14 yr old boy

RareBreed

Throwing the deuces
Took my oldest in for a routine eye exam on Monday. The "puff of air" machine was not working properly so they did another type of test instead of that one. Came back there was an abnormality in the back of one of his eyes. Dr said it "looked" like glaucoma but he would find it very strange that a 14 year old would have that. Said maybe he was just born with the abnormality. We went back yesterday for more tests and it's still showing "something" but they can't say for sure it's glaucoma. Been referred to a specialist who we'll see in a few weeks after school lets out for the summer.

Has anyone heard of a child having glaucoma before? He's had his eyes checked several times before (by different doctors) and nothing has been mentioned about this abnormality.
 

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Because I am cynical and don't believe doctors always put their patients' best interests ahead of their kid's college tuition payments, I would go to another regular eye doctor for a second opinion. Unless your insurance will pay for the "specialist".
 

RareBreed

Throwing the deuces
Rare, but does happen. Google juvenile glaucoma.

Thanks. Couldn't get an appointment until the last week in July. I will definitely look it up but don't want to get too wrapped up with the "maybes". Will just make me (and my son) more anxious to find out.
 

maxima87

Football Mom!!!
My son's optometrist sent him to an ophthalmologist for the same thing after a routine eye exam. He was about 13/14. There was an abnormality, and he now sees an ophthalmologist every 6 months to monitor any changes.
 
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RareBreed

Throwing the deuces
My son's optometrist send him to an ophthalmologist for the same thing after a routine eye exam. He was about 13/14. There was an abnormality, and he now sees an ophthalmologist every 6 months to monitor any changes.

Good to know.
 

Idunno

Member
Glaucoma like symptoms can also be caused by other issues. I found out in my early 20's that I was very sensitive to any type of steroids. I had been using some steroid eye drops for a few days to help clear up an eye infection prior to some minor sinus surgery. I started seeing "halos" around lights. Got to the eye doctor and found out that the pressure in my eyes was almost to the point of bursting. It was treated with other eye drops. Had another reminder of the sensitivity when I had more sinus surgery in my 40's. That time it was caused by a post surgical nasal spray that had steroids in it. When you go to the specialist or another eye doctor be sure to give a good medical history and include ANY medication/drop/spray or supplement that is being used.
 

RareBreed

Throwing the deuces
Glaucoma like symptoms can also be caused by other issues. I found out in my early 20's that I was very sensitive to any type of steroids. I had been using some steroid eye drops for a few days to help clear up an eye infection prior to some minor sinus surgery. I started seeing "halos" around lights. Got to the eye doctor and found out that the pressure in my eyes was almost to the point of bursting. It was treated with other eye drops. Had another reminder of the sensitivity when I had more sinus surgery in my 40's. That time it was caused by a post surgical nasal spray that had steroids in it. When you go to the specialist or another eye doctor be sure to give a good medical history and include ANY medication/drop/spray or supplement that is being used.

Son had no symptoms. This was found at a routine eye exam for new glasses.
 
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