Cataracts in infants are also called congenital cataracts. Cataracts are commonly experienced by the elderly (elderly). In fact, cataracts in infants and children can also occur. This type of cataract can also cause blindness, so it is important to treat cataracts in infants as early as possible.
Cataracts in infants and children can be detected as early as possible. Pay attention to the center of the eye of the baby or child. The presence of gray or white in the pupil can be a symptom of cataracts. Another condition that can be recognized is the lack of eye response to moving objects in front of it. Unnatural eye movements or nystagmus can also be a sign that your baby or child has a cataract.
Causes of Cataracts in Infants and Children
The main factors causing cataracts in infants are congenital abnormalities or birth defects. This happens since the baby is in the womb due to the eye lens in the baby is not formed properly. Mothers who have certain diseases such as rubella and chicken pox during pregnancy can also cause babies born with cataracts. Likewise, children born with Down syndrome have a higher risk of developing cataracts. Heredity factors also have a share. If there is a father, mother or family who have a history of cataracts, there is a possibility that the baby or child will also experience the same thing. Besides congenital abnormalities, cataracts in infants and children can also occur due to complications from eye disease, eye injury, diabetes, radiation therapy or corticosteroid drug consumption.How to deal with cataracts in infants and children
If cataract symptoms appear in infants or children, consult an eye doctor immediately to get the right treatment. Ophthalmologists will usually do a thorough eye examination so that the eye condition of the baby or child can be well known. In addition to eye tests, your doctor may recommend a blood test or X-ray and CT scan of the head, on your baby or child. If the test has been done and the results of the test show that the cataract suffered is relatively mild and does not affect vision, chances are cataract surgery is not done immediately. But if it has affected vision, cataract removal surgery is highly recommended to avoid vision problems in the long run. The doctor may consider cataract surgery before the baby is 3 months old. After surgery, several follow-up actions that can be recommended to restore the eye condition of an infant or child, include:Contact lens installation
The use of contact lenses is generally recommended for cataract operations performed on infants or children under the age of two years. Because, the strength of the eye or the focus of the eye at this age is fairly rapid changes.
Intraocular lens placement
Installation or implantation of artificial eye lenses can also be a solution to replace the role of eye lenses in children.
The use of glasses
In certain cases where cataract surgery is done on both eyes, it is generally advisable to use glasses. Similarly, if the use of contact lenses and intraocular lenses are not effective. Not infrequently, the use of glasses is also recommended despite using contact lenses or intraocular lenses.
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