An examination by a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist can determine whether an infant or child has a cataract. Often parents will suspect a vision problem. A cataract not only blurs the child's visual images, but also the development of visual pathways within the nervous system. 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.
Visual development continues to a lesser extent until the child is six to nine years old.
Premature infants also are at risk of developing cataracts. Complications from trauma, radiation therapy or certain medications can cause cataracts in older children. She and other Eye Center scientists are looking into the causes of and treatment for different types of cataracts. The preferred treatment of most visually significant infantile cataracts is surgically removing the cataract and, in some cases, implanting an intraocular lens. After the cataract has been removed, the child will need to wear contact lenses or glasses as a substitute to the eye's natural lens.