Congenital cataract is a malformation of the lens of the eye that develops during pregnancy and, as a result, the baby is born with this alteration, causing the existence of a whitish film inside the eye.
This change can affect one or both eyes and can usually be cured by a simple surgical procedure that replaces your baby’s lens.
- If a congenital cataract is suspected.
- An ophthalmologist should be consulted for red reflex examination and appropriate treatment.
- See how this review is going.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Congenital cataracts are present from birth, but in some cases it may take several months before they identify, when the baby’s parents or other caregivers watch a whitish film inside the eye, creating the sensation of an “opaque pupil”.
In some cases, this film may also develop and worsen over time, but when identified the pediatrician should be informed to initiate appropriate treatment and avoid the appearance of difficulty seeing.
The best way to confirm the diagnosis of congenital cataract is to perform a red reflex test, also called a small eye test, in which your doctor projects a special light into your baby’s eye to see if there are any changes in structures.
Treatment of congenital cataract depends on the severity of the disease, the degree of vision and age of the baby, but is usually done with congenital cataract surgery for crystalline replacement, which should be performed between 6 weeks and 3 months.this duration may vary depending on your doctor and your child’s history.
Generally, the surgery is performed in one eye with local anesthesia and one month later in the other, and during recovery it is necessary to place some eye drops indicated by the ophthalmologist, to relieve the baby’s discomfort and also to prevent the appearance of an infection.
In case of congenital partial cataract, medications or eye drops may be indicated instead of surgery.
Most congenital cataracts do not have a specific cause, but the most common ones are:
Congenital cataracts can also be caused by genetic factors, and a baby with similar cases in the family is more likely to be born with congenital cataracts.