Living with Hereditary glaucoma
A group of inherited eye conditions in which the optic nerve is slowly damaged, often by high pressure in the eye.
Understanding Hereditary glaucoma
Damage can reduce side vision. Other signs can include bulging eyes, a lot of tearing, and sensitivity to light. Most often the damage comes from high pressure inside the eye. Early-onset glaucoma appears before age 40 and depends mainly on heredity. Primary congenital glaucoma appears before age 3. Juvenile open-angle glaucoma appears in childhood or early adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a symptom list for this condition, but the summary describes these signs:
- Loss of side (peripheral) vision
- Bulging eyes
- Lots of tearing
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- High pressure in the eye
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include eye disease specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with BrightFocus Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes (also called variants) cause hereditary glaucoma. It can be autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive. Some people have structural differences that block fluid draining from the eye.
Also known as: hereditary glaucoma (disease); pediatric-onset glaucoma of genetic origin
Patient organizations
- BrightFocus FoundationHereditary glaucoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Hereditary glaucoma.
Explore research for Hereditary glaucoma
Explore actively recruiting Hereditary glaucoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Hereditary glaucoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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