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Cataract, Pediatric

M. Edward Wilson, MD, Courtney L. Kraus, MD and Rupal H. Trivedi, MD, MSCR Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Cataract is the term used for any opacification of the crystalline lens of the eye. 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Prevalence of childhood cataracts is 1 to 15:10,000, with the range being attributable...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Decreased visual fixation and tracking? Cataracts may decrease vision.

  • Sun sensitivity or squinting in bright light? Cataracts may cause glare and light scatter.

  • Strabismus (ocular misa...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Importance of timely referral:

    • Congenital cataracts may require surgical removal by 4 to 6 weeks of age to prevent irreversible deprivation amblyopia, so timely identification...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Without treatment, visually significant cataracts result in progressive visual loss. When an opacity that is present at birth or very early in life is not promptl...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Amaya L, Taylor D, Russell-Eggitt I, et al. The morphology and natural history of childhood cataracts. Surv Ophthalmol.  2003;48(2):125–144. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Infa...

CODES

ICD9

  • 366.9 Unspecified cataract

  • 743.30 Congenital cataract, unspecified

  • 366.50 After-cataract, unspecified

  • 366.45 Toxic cataract

  • 366.20 Traumatic cataract, unspecified

ICD10

  • H26.9 Unspecified cataract

  • Q...

FAQ

  • Q: Is surgical removal of the cataract a visual cure?

  • A: No. Surgery is only the beginning of treatment, which also includes optical correction and amblyopia therapy.

  • Q: Once the cataract is removed...

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