In addition, these children should continue treatment with an ophthalmologist long term to prevent vision loss. A critical stage of visual development occurs between birth and age three to four months during which the brain must receive clear visual messages from both eyes. If a cataract blocks vision during this time, blindness can result in one or both eyes.
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's internal focusing lens.
As many as six out of every 10,000 infants are born with cataracts, which are one of the most treatable causes of vision impairment during early childhood. An examination by a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist can determine whether an infant has a cataract. Premature infants also are at risk of developing cataracts. Complications from trauma, radiation therapy or certain medications can cause cataracts in older children. The preferred treatment of most visually significant infantile cataracts is surgically removing the cataract and, in some cases, implanting an intraocular lens.