This is best treated by surgically removing the cataract, correcting the optical focus of the eye, and doing intensive patching at a very early age. This is usually done in the first few months of life, and is continued throughout childhood. The younger children are, the shorter the time course required for treatment. Older children, aged six or older, may require months of patching to restore normal levels of vision. Once vision has been restored with therapy, part-time patching or maintenance patching may be required to keep the vision from slipping or deteriorating.
Prompt treatment is both a responsibility and an opportunity.
Whenever strabismus or amblyopia is suspected, the child should be seen by an eye specialist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to restoration and preservation of good vision in children.