Congenital cataract
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.1061Keywords:
CATARACT; CONGENITAL; LENS IMPLANTATION, INTRAOCULARAbstract
A congenital cataract is defined as lens opacity present at birth (conatal) or occurring within the first year of life (infantile) and is one of the leading causes of childhood visual impairment. Persistent opacity of the visual axis affects the development of the visual pathway and consequently leads to amblyopia. The global incidence of congenital cataracts ranges from 0.63 to 9.74 per 10,000 children. This review article summarizes recent knowledge about the causes, prevention, and treatment of congenital cataracts. The etiology of congenital cataracts is highly heterogeneous and involves numerous genetic and environmental factors. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, making the implementation of prenatal and postnatal preventive programs essential. The gold standard for treatment is microincisional cataract aspiration, combined with anterior and posterior capsulotomy, anterior vitrectomy, and primary implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). With an appropriate postoperative multidisciplinary approach, this technique has the lowest incidence of chronic complications and amblyopia. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex pathophysiological mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies in a large cohort of children with congenital cataracts.
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