Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Congenital glaucoma) that could possibly cause Congenital glaucoma includes:
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Congenital glaucoma that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Conditions listing Congenital glaucoma as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Congenital glaucoma. Our database lists the following as having Congenital glaucoma as a symptom of that condition:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Congenital glaucoma may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Congenital glaucoma.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma results from overproduction of aqueous humor or obstruction to its outflow through the trabecular meshwork or the canal of Schlemm. (See Normal flow of aqueous humor, page 1184.) This form of glaucoma, which is estimated to be present in 1% to 2% of people older than age 40, is frequently familial in origin and affects 90% of all patients with glaucoma. Diabetes and systemic hypertension have also been associated with this form of glaucoma.
Acute angle-closure (narrow-angle) glaucoma results from obstruction to the outflow of aqueous humor due to anatomically narrow angles between the anterior iris and the posterior corneal surface, shallow anterior chambers, a thickened iris that causes angle closure on pupil dilation, or a bulging iris that presses on the trabeculae, closing the angle (peripheral anterior synechiae).
Blacks are four times more likely to have this disorder than whites, and people with a family history of open-angle glaucoma are twice as likely to develop it than people without a family history of this disorder. The use of systemic anticholinergic medications, such as atropine or eye dilation drops, in a person who’s already at high-risk for acute glaucoma increases the risk. Other risk factors include farsightedness and age-related changes that create an increase in intraocular pressure.
Congenital glaucoma occurs when there is an abnormal fluid drainage angle of the eye. It may be caused by congenital infections such as TORCH virus (toxoplasmosis, other [varicella, mumps, parvovirus, human immunodeficiency virus], rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes), Sturge-Weber syndrome, or retinopathy of prematurity.
Secondary glaucoma can result from uveitis, trauma, or drugs (such as steroids). Neovascularization in the angle can result from vein occlusion or diabetes.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
The cause of glaucoma varies according to the type of disorder:
❑ Chronic open-angle glaucoma results from overproduction of aqueous humor or from obstructed outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork or the canal of Schlemm. This form of glaucoma frequently runs in families and affects 90% of all patients with glaucoma.
❑ Acute angle-closure (narrow-angle) glaucoma results from obstructed outflow of aqueous humor caused by anatomically narrow angles between the anterior iris and the posterior corneal surface, shallow anterior chambers, a thickened iris that causes angle closure on pupil dilation, or a bulging iris that presses on the trabeculae, closing the angle. Adhesions in the angle, referred to as peripheral anterior synechiae, may be the cause.
❑ Secondary glaucoma can result from uveitis, trauma, or drugs such as steroids. Neovascularization in the angle can result from vein occlusion or diabetes.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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