1. A Brief Look at Congenital Cataracts
The lens of the eye, responsible for focusing light onto the retina, is generally clear. In rare cases, a clouding of the lens is present at birth or shortly thereafter, known as congenital cataracts. While the cause is not always clear, several possibilities exist, including Down Syndrome, familial congenital cataracts and other syndromes.
2. Spotting Congenital Cataracts in an Infant
The pupil is generally dark, but in an infant with congenital cataracts, the pupil will have a whitish color and appear cloudy. Often, it's not necessary to use any special equipment to see cataracts in the eye of an infant. It's possible for a baby to have a cataract in one eye, and a patch may be necessary to prevent lazy eye or crossed eyes. If both eyes are involved, parents or a doctor may notice that the child does not have complete visual awareness. An infant may also have rapid eye movements, known as nystagmus. If you suspect anything unusual with your baby's eyes, contact his doctor immediately.
3. Confirmation and Treatment
An ophthalmologist will need to confirm the presence of cataracts of the eye by examination. If the cataracts are mild and don't have a visual impact on the child, no treatment is required. In fact, some congenital cataracts go undiagnosed and never cause visual problems. However, cataract surgery may be necessary if the child's vision is affected. After an ophthalmologist removes the cataract, he will replace it with an artificial ocular lens. Fortunately, this procedure has become routine, so prognosis is superb.
4. Ruling Out an Underlying Condition
When a baby has congenital cataracts, a pediatrician who is experienced in hereditary disorders may need to conduct blood tests or X-rays to determine if an underlying condition is present, such as Down Syndrome. Some conditions that may have caused the congenital cataracts can be serious and require treatment. Talk to your baby's pediatrician about a referral for further examination to rule out anything serious.
5. Prevention is Tricky
Only one parent needs to carry the gene for congenital cataracts in order for the baby to inherit the condition. Because this gene is dominant, a 50-percent chance exists that your child will have congenital cataracts if either parent carries the gene. As such, you may want to consider genetic testing if either parent has a family history of disorders, particularly metabolic, that could cause the cataracts. A child can also develop congenital cataracts if the mother develops infections, such as rubella, while pregnant.
