Congenital Cataract Overview
Learn About Congenital Cataract
A congenital cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye that is present at birth. The lens of the eye is normally clear. It focuses light that comes into the eye onto the retina.
Cataract - congenital
Unlike most cataracts, which occur with aging, congenital cataracts are present at birth.
Congenital cataracts are rare. In most people, no cause can be found.
Congenital cataracts often occur as part of the following birth defects:
- Chondrodysplasia syndrome
- Congenital rubella
- Conradi-Hünermann syndrome
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
- Ectodermal dysplasia syndrome
- Familial congenital cataracts
- Galactosemia
- Hallermann-Streiff syndrome
- Lowe syndrome
- Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome
- Pierre-Robin syndrome
- Trisomy 13
Congenital cataracts most often look different than other forms of cataract.
Symptoms may include:
- An infant does not seem to be visually aware of the world around them (if cataracts are in both eyes)
- Gray or white cloudiness of the pupil (which is normally black)
- The "red eye" glow (red reflex) of the pupil is missing in photos, or is different between the 2 eyes
- Unusual rapid eye movements (nystagmus)
If congenital cataracts are mild and do not affect vision, they may not need to be treated, especially if they are in both eyes.
Moderate to severe cataracts that affect vision, or a cataract that is in only 1 eye, will need to be treated with cataract removal surgery. In most (noncongenital) cataract surgeries, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted into the eye. The use of IOLs in infants is controversial. Without an IOL, the infant will need to wear a contact lens.
Patching to force the child to use the weaker eye is often needed to prevent amblyopia.
The infant may also need to be treated for the inherited disorder that has caused the cataracts.
James Felch is an Ophthalmologist in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Felch and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Cataract. His top areas of expertise are Allergic Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Cataract, and Glaucoma. Dr. Felch is currently accepting new patients.
Susannah Longmuir is an Ophthalmologist in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Longmuir and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Cataract. Her top areas of expertise are Strabismus, Congenital Cataract, Amblyopia, Trabeculectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Longmuir is currently accepting new patients.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Eric Brown is an Ophthalmologist in Lebanon, Tennessee. Dr. Brown and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Congenital Cataract. His top areas of expertise are Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension (OHT), Congenital Cataract, Trabeculectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Brown is currently accepting new patients.
Removing a congenital cataract is usually a safe, effective procedure. The child will need follow-up for vision rehabilitation. Most infants with congenital cataract in one eye have some level of "lazy eye" (amblyopia) and will need to use patching after the surgery in an attempt to reverse it.
With cataract surgery there is a very slight risk of:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Inflammation
Infants who have surgery for congenital cataracts are likely to develop another type of cataract, which may need further surgery or laser treatment.
Many of the diseases that are associated with congenital cataract can also affect other organs.
Call for an urgent appointment with your baby's health care provider if:
- You notice that the pupil of one or both eyes appears white or cloudy.
- The child seems to ignore part of their visual world.
If you have a family history of inheritable disorders that could cause congenital cataracts, consider seeking genetic counseling.
Summary: The Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project (MDBP) seeks to collect and analyze clinical data and biological samples from leukodystrophy patients worldwide to support ongoing and future research projects. The MDBP is one of the world's largest leukodystrophy biorepositories, having enrolled nearly 2,000 affected individuals since it was launched over a decade ago. Researchers working in the biorepo...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term visual outcome of the cataract surgery using a large-scale and comprehensive database of pediatric cataract participants, including congenital and traumatic cataract. The investigators will further investigate into the various genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of pediatric cataract.
Published Date: August 04, 2023
Published By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Lambert SR, Cotsonis G, DuBois L, et al; Infant Aphakia Treatment Study Group. Long-term effect of intraocular lens vs contact lens correction on visual acuity after cataract surgery during infancy: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(4):365-372. PMID: 32077909 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32077909/.
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Wevill M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, causes, morphology, and visual effects of cataract. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 5.5.