Buphthalmos is an ocular condition that
is also known as Hydrophthalmos.
Buphthalmos is a form of glaucoma
that is either present since birth (i.e. congenital) or develops in early
infancy.
In the case of buphthalmos 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.
Large Eyes: The sclera
(outer coat of the eyeball)
of normal young children is able to stretch and expand. In the cases of
those with buphthalmos, 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 buphthalmos.
Another feature that may indicate buphthalmos is the
presence of Haab's
striae.
In most cases buphthalmos 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.
Buphthalmos may occur together with other congenital abnormalities
elsewhere in the body.
Buphthalmos can be treated surgically such as by performing
a goniotomy
(or a trabeculectomy
or trabeculectomy). Untreated congenital glaucoma 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. |
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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.
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