Buphthalmosis an enlargement of the eye due toraised eye pressurethat is present at birth or soon after.
This is a rare condition that is present in about 1 in 30,000 births.
It requires prompt treatment to preserve sight.
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The term buphthalmos comes from Greek roots and means ox-eyed.
The ancient physician Hippocrates described it in 400 BC.
By age 1, the eye typically has a diameter of between 10 and 11.5 millimeters (mm).
A baby with an eye of 12 millimeters before age 1 indicates that theres likely an issue.
As the fluid builds up in the eye, the pressure rises.
In glaucoma, increased eye pressure damages theoptic nerve.
For young children, this may be done under anesthesia.
This may involve the use of pressure-lowering medication or performing glaucoma surgery.
In some cases, these may be used in combination.
Medications used here may include:
Surgery is another option for lowering pressure.
There are four major approaches that are taken here.
Possible procedures here include the following:
Summary
Buphopthalmus is a rare condition present at birth.
Its important to detect it as early as possible for preserve sight.
Treatment can include medication, surgery, or some combination of these.
Feroze KB, Blair K, Patel BC.Buphthalmos.
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Primary congenital glaucoma.
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Aniridia.
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Neurofibromatosis.
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Sturge-Weber syndrome.
