Hydrophthalmos is an ocular condition
also known as Buphthalmos.
Hydrophthalmos is a form of glaucoma
that is either present since birth (congenital) or develops in early infancy.
In the case of hydrophthalmos the high/increased pressure
within the eye
(increased intraocular pressure = glaucoma) is due to the failure
of the tissues through which excess fluid would normally drain from the
eye to develop normally.
The sclera
(outer coat of the eyeball)
of normal young children is able to stretch and expand. In the cases of
those with hydrophthalmos, the whole eyeball increases
in size as a result of the inflow of fluid that cannot drain away
effectively. Unusually large eyes are therefore an important clinical
feature in recognising cases of hydrophthalmos.
Another feature that may indicate hydrophthalmos is the
presence of Haab's
striae.
In most cases hydrophthalmos affects both eyes (i.e.
it is bilateral), but the effect is not necessarily the same on each eye
- one eye might be slightly larger than the other even though both are
larger than normal. Hydrophthalmos may occur together
with other congenital abnormalities elsewhere in the body.
Hydrophthalmos can be treated surgically such as by
performing a goniotomy
(or a trabeculectomy
or trabeculectomy). If untreated, hydrophthalmos may
lead to blindness.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
 |
This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
|
