About Us - Grajewski/Lyra Foundation for Pediatric and Infantile Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness throughout the world. The visual loss in patients with glaucoma results from damage to the optic nerve that carries sight from the eye to the brain.

Although it most commonly affects the elderly, glaucoma occurs in about 1 in 25,000 babies born in the United States. In both adults and babies with glaucoma, the prevention of permanent blindness requires detection and proper treatment. Glaucoma that occurs in infancy and early childhood differs from most adult glaucoma in several ways.

Because it is rare, most patients need to travel to a specialized medical center for treatment. Also, childhood glaucoma is usually treated with immediate surgery rather than with medication or laser. Infants who receive prompt surgical treatment will do well; 80 to 90% will have normal or nearly normal vision for their lifetime.

Most babies who have glaucoma and cannot obtain specialized care quickly will lose their vision. Early detection and treatment means the difference between sight and blindness.