Congenital cataract is, clouding of the lens of the eye, that is present at birth. The white opacity seen in a childís eye may be due to several reasons; however the most common reason is cataract. If such opacity is seen in a childís eye since birth, it is called congenital cataract.
Most common reason for a new born baby to have cataract is maternal infections acquired during pregnancy called TORCH group of infections. Out of these, rubella, also known as German measles is an important cause for congenital cataracts in India.
Other causes are:
Cataract surgery involves removing the cataract and replacing with an artificial lens implant.
Cataracts in infants or children are not uncommon and can lead to moderate to severe visual impairment. Infants with complete cataracts in both eyes often show very little ëvisual interestí and have delayed development. Lazy eye can develop in some cases, called ìStimulus deprivation amblyopiaî, because due to the presence of cataract, the brain receives no visual information thereby making the eye ëlazyí. Such lazy eyes are difficult to treat due to the severity of amblyopia. Unsteady gaze or nystagmus also develops which indicates poor vision.
Moderate to severe cataracts that affect vision, or a cataract that is in only one eye, will need to be treated with surgery. Significant cataracts whether present in one eye or both eyes, should be removed urgently if the baby is too young. In slightly older children, timing of surgery depends on the duration of visually significant opacity.
Babies who are younger than 2 years of age are given glasses or contact lenses after surgery, till they attain 2 years of age, after which intraocular lenses can be implanted in the eye. Parents are first taught how to insert and remove contact lenses and also how to maintain hygiene, which is of utmost importance. Once they master the insertion and removal process, the lenses are handed over to them with clear instructions to consult the doctor if they face any difficulties in handling the lens or if the baby does not seem comfortable with lenses on.
Finally, once the child crosses 2 years of age, lens implantation is performed as a second stage procedure. If the cataract is seen in a younger child but only in one eye, usually intraocular lens is inserted inside the eye irrespective of the age of the child, after which the child will require glasses.
Patching of the normal eye, to force the child to use the weaker eye, is often needed to prevent amblyopia. The infant may also need to be treated for the inherited disorder that is causing the cataracts.
You can call our Healthcare team on 02025536369 / 41460100 if you have any queries regarding your childís eye.
