Diagnosis and management of pediatric cataract

Overview

Purpose:
To present our results of surgical management of pediatric cataract. To draw attention to seriousness of this topic, necessity of early diagnosis and comprehensive management of pediatric cataract.

Patients and methods:
The patients were divided into two groups according to the etiology of the cataract: congenital, infantile or juvenile cataract (A) and traumatic cataract (B). There were 14 children in group A (8 girls and 6 boys). Cataract was diagnosed during congenital cataract screening in newborns in one child, later during childhood (range 14–132 months, median 43 months) in 13 cases. Group B comprised of 12 children (4 girls and 8 boys). The reason for cataract was penetrating injury in 7 eyes and blunt injury in 5 eyes. All surgeries were performed by experienced surgeon in general anesthesia and were followed by visual rehabilitation and amblyopia treatment.

Results:
No serious perioperative or early postoperative complications were observed. The most common late postoperative complication was secondary cataract (posterior capsule opacification) in 15 patients. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 1.0 (normal vision) to 0.002 (low vision) depending upon other ocular pathologies.

Conclusions:
Pediatric cataract remains a challenge despite of all improvements. The management plan must involve an interdisciplinary team approach.

Key words:
pediatric cataract, congenital, posttraumatic, management