SINGAPORE: Big eyes are often considered to be a sign of beauty, but parents must take note if their children have enlarged pupils.

Doctors said glaucoma – an eye disease – is the result of fluid pressure building up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve.

One in every 10,000 children across the world suffers from the disease. Among those stricken, one in three is born with the condition.

As the disease is harder to detect in children, parents are advised to look out for symptoms.

Dr Leo Seo Wei, consultant-in-charge, Children's Eye Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said: "If your child is tearing or they have photophobia, meaning they are very scared of light and they blink a lot, or if you feel the eye shape is abnormal such as the eye looks bigger and bigger, or if you have a family history of glaucoma, it's safer to get your child checked."


- CNA/so