Congenital cataracts

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Congenital Cataracts

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What are congenital cataracts?

A congenital cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye present at birth, which prevents the child from seeing. Cataracts can impair vision if they are large enough to completely cover the pupil (the central area of the eye through which light enters).

  • Types:
    • Unilateral: Affecting one eye.
    • Bilateral: Affecting both eyes.
  • Accompanied by:
    • Other ocular abnormalities, such as corneal and retinal disorders.
    • Often hereditary in nature.

Additional causes include intrauterine infections, chromosomal syndromes, metabolic disorders, and renal diseases. An ophthalmologist, in conjunction with a paediatrician, should evaluate for these possibilities.

What causes them?

Bilateral Causes

  • Unknown origin.
  • Hereditary factors.
  • Metabolic or systemic diseases.
  • Maternal infections.
  • Associated ocular abnormalities.

Unilateral Causes

  • Unknown origin.
  • Associated with ocular abnormalities.
  • Trauma.
  • Infections.

How can they be prevented?

  • Hereditary Cataracts: These, or those caused by associated eye disorders, are not preventable.
  • Importance of Check-ups: Eye examinations during the first weeks of life are essential. Early detection is key for corrective treatment, as visual ability develops rapidly during this period.

Symptoms

  • Whitish clouding in the pupil, detected by paediatricians or parents.
  • Low vision accompanied by:
    • Strabismus: Ocular deviation.
    • Nystagmus: Involuntary eye movement.

If these symptoms are observed, the child should be taken to an ophthalmologist immediately.

Associated Treatments

  • Critical Period: The first weeks of life are crucial for visual stimulation and preventing brain mechanisms associated with lazy eye.
  • Visual Stimulation: Babies require visual input from birth to ensure proper visual development.

Rapid treatment is essential to avoid long-term visual impairment.