Congenital Cataracts- An Overview

Wed Jan 11 2017

Cataracts in infants are a rare condition but it is completely possible. It is known as congenital cataract and it means that the eye’s natural lens is cloudy instead of clear. Vision could be hampered to the extent that cataract surgery may be required under the supervision of specialist doctors for removal of your child’s natural lens. Not all congenital cataracts require surgical removal, but many do.

Cataracts that cloud only the peripheral portion of the lens may not need removal, because central vision remains unhampered. Very small cataracts, too, may be considered too insignificant to require surgery. Some experts say the optimal time to intervene and remove a visually significant congenital cataract from an infant’s eye is between the age of 6 weeks and 3 months.If your baby has a congenital cataract, discuss any concerns you have about the timing of cataract surgery with your eye surgeon.

Once the cataract is removed, it is absolutely imperative to get implanted lens or intraocular lens, contact lens or eyeglasses. Without proper vision correction following cataract surgery, the eye will have poor vision, and normal infant vision development will be hindered. Normally, both adults and children receive IOLs during cataract surgery. But according to recent clinical trials and studies, for most babies, using contact lenses for a few years and having lens implants later could work better. However, problems with IOLs include potential post-operative complications that could require more surgery, and the difficulty for a surgeon to choose the best focusing power of an IOL for a baby, since the eyes are still growing at that age. Congenital cataracts occur in newborn babies for many reasons that can include inherited tendencies, infection, metabolic problems, diabetes, trauma, inflammation or drug reactions.

At Centre for Sight, we provide cataract treatment, SMILE (Small incision lenticule extraction) and a host of other services in our eye hospitals for LASIK and other procedures in Hyderabad, Delhi, Indore, Jaipur and other cities across the nation. At CFS, we care for eye care.


Article: Congenital Cataracts- An Overview
Author: Dr JB Singh   |   Jan 11 2017 | UPDATED 02:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.

Related Posts
Best Eye-Care Tips For Summers
Mon Jul 06 2015
Cataract Surgery Specialist
Wed Jan 11 2017
Herbs For The Eyes
Tue Oct 27 2015
Choosing the right Sunglasses
Mon Jul 06 2015
Surprising Animal Vision Facts
Thu Aug 03 2017
BLADE FREE CATARACT SURGERY
Fri Jan 24 2014
Facts and FAQs about Eye Donation
Mon Oct 03 2016
Can LASIK fix Astigmatism?
Sat May 25 2019
Eye Donation Facts and Myths
Wed Sep 09 2015
Eye Hygiene
Thu Dec 19 2019
Can summer air affect your eyes?
Wed Apr 10 2019
OPTING FOR CATARACT SURGERY
Thu Jan 29 2015
Eyeing summer with care
Tue Apr 29 2014
How Pregnancy Affects Vision?
Sat Dec 12 2015
Nutrition for Your Eyes
Tue Oct 27 2015
6 tips for a 6/6 Vision
Mon Feb 24 2020
10 facts behind the darkness
Thu Jul 07 2016
Eye Care during Monsoons
Mon Aug 24 2015
Everything About Bifocals Lens
Mon Dec 12 2016
Common Eye allergies
Thu Jun 04 2015
prevent cataract
How to Prevent Cataracts?
Thu Jun 20 2019
Why do we cry?
Thu Aug 03 2017
Get Ready for Examinations
Mon Nov 09 2015
Common Symptoms of Eye allergies
Mon Jul 06 2015
Exercise benefits your eyes
Tue Sep 11 2018
Nutrition for Healthy Eyesight
Sat Nov 22 2014
5 Tips To Keep Your Vision Sharp
Tue May 28 2019
Blindness in India
Sat Nov 22 2014
Get Rid of Computer Eye Strain
Mon Apr 28 2014
7 Tips for Summer Eye Care
Mon May 01 2017
Eye-Care in summers
Mon May 11 2015
Summer Eye Care
Thu May 15 2014
National Braille Literacy Month
Mon Jan 06 2020
Choosing the right Sunglasses
Mon May 11 2015
Eye Convergence Exercises
Mon Mar 02 2020
Eye-Care Tips for Your Workplace
Tue May 24 2016
How to Take Care of Eyes Daily
Wed Apr 08 2020
Appointment Specialist Locate Us Call Us
"I chose Centre for Sight to get rid of my glasses. Their treatment is permanent, has no side effects and gave me the freedom to live to the fullest."
Select Contact Method
Delhi NCR
Rest of India
Book an Appointment





    Proceed Next

    Find a Specialist
    Locate Us
    In Delhi / NCR