Our services | Cataract surgery
Cataract surgery
A congenital cataract is an opacity (cloudiness) in the lens of the eye that is present at birth or develops shortly afterwards. Congenital cataract occurs in 0.03% of newborn babies. Congenital cataract can be associated with certain conditions (such as Down’s sydrome) and is more likely if there a family history of congenital cataract.
In the case of a newborn infant, a cataract causes the immature visual system to be deprived of the stimulation needed for normal development. If left untreated, permanent visual loss may occur.
Removal of the cataract via surgical extraction of the lens is the most effective means of treatment for most cataracts. In most cases an intra-ocular lens is placed inside the eye to replace the natural lens that has been removed. Optical correction with a contact lens and/or glasses is usually necessary. In cases where only one eye had a cataract amblyopia can develop and hence patching treatment may also be needed.
