- What is infantile cataract?
- Prognosis of the disease
- Symptoms of childhood cataract
- Medical tests for childhood cataract
- What are the causes of childhood cataract?
- Can it be prevented?
- Treatment for childhood cataract
- What specialist treats it?
What is childhood cataract?
Childhood cataract is a disease that causes blurred vision or blindness due to the opacification of the eye’s natural lens. It is very important to detect a childhood cataract to avoid vision problems in the future. There are different types:
- Congenital cataracts: from the moment of birth.
- Acquired cataracts: after birth.
- Unilateral cataracts: present in only one eye.
- Bilateral cataracts: present in both eyes. There are symmetrical and asymmetrical cataracts, the latter being more harmful.
Childhood cataract causes blurred vision
Prognosis of the disease
It is a simple disease with a simple and almost painless treatment.
Symptoms of childhood cataract
The symptoms may be different in each patient. The main ones are:
- Pupils with white spots under the effect of light.
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty focusing on objects
- Eyes that are not aligned
- Involuntary eye movements
Medical tests for childhood cataract
There are different tests to diagnose childhood cataract. The most common are the visual acuity test and pupil dilation:
- Visual acuity test: consists of analyzing the patient’s visual ability from different distances.
- Pupil dilation: thanks to the application of drops, the pupils are enlarged. This allows a closer and more accurate view of the retina and optic nerve.
What are the causes of childhood cataract?
The main causes are:
- Diabetes
- Trauma
- Steroid use
- Difficulties in other eye diseases, such as glaucoma
- Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Can it be prevented?
To avoid the appearance of cataracts, the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology recommends not exposing the eyes to the sun for long periods of time. To prevent cataracts in children, it is necessary to wear sunglasses that block UV rays. It is also advisable to visit the eye doctor once a year to detect any damage to the eye.
Treatments for childhood cataract
Treatment will depend on the type and danger of the cataract. In the most severe cases, surgery will be necessary to remove the cataract. After the operation, exercises should be performed so that the eye learns to focus correctly. Eyeglasses may also be recommended to facilitate the child’s vision or the use of eye patches for stimulation of the more sensitive eye.
What specialist treats it?
To treat childhood cataracts, you should see an expert in ophthalmology who specializes in children’s vision.