CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
It affects more than 2.7 million individuals age 40 or older in the United States, and in some cases, it can also affect children.
Dr. Luxme Hariharan, a pediatric ophthalmologist with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, said glaucoma in kids is a complex disorder with a completely different mechanism than cases seen in adulthood.
“We know that glaucoma is increased eye pressure, intraocular pressure that over time can affect the optic nerve, and that’s the mechanism in an adult. But in a child, it actually affects the entire eye from the front of the eye to the back of the eye, and that’s why it’s very important that we get the early diagnosis and treatment,” she said.
Hariharan said early intervention with surgery is vital because pediatric glaucoma is very aggressive and can quickly lead to blindness.
COVID insomnia
Also in today’s health news, stress-related insomnia due to the COVID-19 pandemic has become so prevalent that it’s even spawned a name: Coronasomnia.
According to health experts, Coronasomnia is more complicated than typical stress-related sleeplessness because it’s created new levels of uncertainly because there’s no ending in sight.
Sleep experts say to avoid naps during the day and if you wake up in the middle of the night, distract yourself with reading or a relaxing hobby, but they caution against using a smart device.
The light from electronics can actually keep your brain awake.