Cataracts in children: causes, symptoms, treatment

Cataracts in a child are more often associated with congenital or hereditary factors, as well as diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy, such as rubella, influenza, or even acute respiratory viral infections (congenital cataracts). According to statistics, 5 newborns out of 100,000 are diagnosed with cataracts. Older children are susceptible to the disease in 3-4 cases out of 10,000.

Symptoms of childhood cataract:

• opacity (white veil) in the pupil lumen;

• blurred vision, as if through fog or a grid, or the child is not following well and does not fix his gaze;

• changes in color perception;

• bright glare from lamps or the sun (the so-called "Glare effect");

• double objects;

• Near-sightedness may temporarily improve.

These cataract symptoms may also be signs of other eye diseases that require excellent treatment.

Cataract diagnosis in children

A diagnosis of "cataract" does not always mean that immediate surgery is necessary. But in any case, you need to undergo regular examination by an ophthalmologist. The EMC Children's Clinic has the opportunity to undergo all the necessary examinations using the most modern equipment.

• Determination of visual acuity (visometry).

• Determination of the level of intraocular pressure (tonometry).

• Examination of the anterior segment of the eye using a slit lamp (biomicroscopy).

• Defining the boundaries of the field of view (perimeter).

• Examination of the retina and optic disc (ophthalmoscopy).

• Ultrasound examination

Cataract treatment in children

Cataracts can only be cured surgically. The operation consists of removing the cloudy lens and installing an artificial optical lens (IOL) in its place. Today, cataract removal, provided that the operation is performed by an experienced surgeon, is a quick and safe procedure.

Cataract removal in children is a specific operation and requires special skills from the doctor in order to avoid postoperative complications related to the specific structure of the eyeball in children. For children under 6 years of age, an anterior vitrectomy (removal of the anterior layers of the vitreous body) is additionally performed. Only with the combination of the two interventions is full transparency of the optical media achieved and, as a result, good vision after surgery.

During the operation, through a minimal incision (usually less than 3 mm) using a special ultrasound device, a phacoemulsifier, the lens substance is crushed to an emulsion state. Then, through a system of tubes, the lens masses are removed from the eye. After that, an artificial lens (IOL) of a certain individual optical strength is implanted into the lens bag. In most cases, cataracts can be removed using the low-trauma, seamless technique described above.

Every young patient is offered a wide range of IOLs, ranging from simple spherical and aspherical lenses to lenses that allow them to read without glasses (multifocal) and astigmatism correcting (toric) lenses. Each of these lenses has its own unique advantages, which the doctor will definitely tell you about at the consultation.

Cataract surgery in a child is only the first step in a comprehensive approach to the treatment of this disease. In order to achieve a rapid increase in visual acuity and complete recovery, comprehensive treatment is necessary in the early period of the child's development. EMC uses various methods of treating congenital cataracts: surgical and hardware in the pre- and postoperative period under the professional supervision of pediatric ophthalmologists.