What is it
Congenital cataract
Congenital cataract is one that the child suffers from at the time of birth, which can make it difficult or seriously compromise their vision depending on the degree of opacity of their lens.
Usually, aging is the main cause of cataract formation since, over the years, the lens becomes opaque. However, it is possible for a child to also have this pathology at birth.
Unlike adults, this type of cataract is not diagnosed by alterations in vision, but is evidenced by a visible whitish or grayish spot in the pupil. Other symptoms of congenital cataract that can be seen in the child as a result of poor vision are the involuntary and rapid movement of their eyes (nystagmus) or eye deviation (strabismus).
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When it comes to a mild congenital cataract, these symptoms may not manifest clearly enough. Hence the importance of subjecting the child to a first ophthalmological examination after birth in order to rule it out, as well as other congenital vision anomalies.
Its presence (in one or both eyes) is a rare situation that is usually associated with hereditary factors, although there may be other causes such as associated eye pathologies or genetic conditions.
Treatment
First of all, it is essential that the ophthalmologist specializing in childhood cataracts performs a complete examination of both eyes to determine if they affect one or both and their degree of severity, as well as to identify the cause that originates them.
If the degree of cataract involvement is mild, the recommended treatment consists of strictly controlling its eventual evolution, although rehabilitation treatment can also be carried out when it occurs in only one eye.
When cataracts affect the child’s visual development, then it must be surgically removed as soon as possible to achieve a good prognosis for vision recovery. Cataract surgery in children involves removing the lens, just as it does in adults.
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