It is a common belief thatcataractsonly occur in the eyes of older people.
However, babies and children can be born with cataracts, or they may develop them as they age.
If a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy, causing images to become blurred and distorted.
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Symptoms
Cataracts aren’t always visible.
If you notice a white or gray spot on your child’s pupil, it could be a cataract.
Try shining a flashlight into your child’s eyes.
A cataract sometimes causes the pupils to appear white.
Keep in mind that a cataract can sometimes appear in only one eye.
This symptom should prompt an immediate visit to a healthcare provider.
You may be able to spot a cataract by your child’s actions.
Also, they may squint heavily and give a shot to shield their eyes when exposed to bright sunlight.
You may also notice a misalignment of your child’s eyes or repetitive movements of the eyes.
Some parents have been alerted to cataracts in their children’s eyes when looking at photos.
If you think your child may have a cataract, it’s very important to tell your pediatrician.
Early treatment can reduce the possibility of long-term vision problems.
Causes
Cataracts can be hereditary.
Some infants are born with cataracts, known as congenital cataracts.
Some antibiotics used to treat infections in pregnant women may cause cataracts in newborn babies.
Sometimes congenital cataracts are because of chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome.
Some children develop cataracts during the first few years of life.
Sometimes a cataract is missed during infancy and babyhood but discovered in an older child.
Some are detected by pediatricians during well-baby exams.
Once alerted to a possible problem, an eye doctor will conduct a thorough eye exam on the child.
The doctor will be able to diagnose a cataract in one or both eyes depending on clinical test results.
Treatment
Treatment for pediatric cataracts varies depending on the punch in and severity of the cataract.
Most children with cataracts will require surgery to remove it.
Children who undergo cataract surgery usually experience very little pain or discomfort.
The surgeon will first break up the lens into small pieces with a special instrument.
The pieces will then be removed through a small incision.
Although a delicate procedure, cataract removal is generally safe when performed by an experienced, pediatric eye surgeon.
Treatment will be needed for repair and restore eye-brain connections needed for clear vision.
In a sense, the eyes will need to re-taught how to focus properly.
Patching involves covering the good eye to stimulate vision in the eye that had the cataract removed.
The brain will set up abnormal visual connections if vision is blurry or distorted because of cataracts.
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