Congenital cataracts
It's importantchildhood cataracts are diagnosed as early as possible because early treatment can significantly reduce the risk of long-term vision problems.
All parents are offered a physical examination for their baby within 72 hours of birth and again when their baby issix to eight weeks old.
Childhood cataractsare among the conditions screened for duringthe newborn physicalexamination.
Your baby's eyesarechecked by looking attheir general appearance and how they move. If your baby's eye looks cloudy, it could be a signthey have cataracts.
An important part of the check is looking for the "red reflex" using a bright light. The red reflex is a reflection from the back of the eye that's similar to the red eye effect sometimes seen in flash photography. If no red reflex, or a weak one, is seen, it may mean there's cloudiness in the lens.
Although cataractscan bepresent from birth (congenital),they sometimes don't develop untila child is older.Visit your GP or tell your health visitor if you have any concerns about your child's eyesight at any stage.
You should also make sure your child has routine eye tests to check for any problems with their vision. All children under the age of 16 are entitled to free sight tests, which they should have about every two years.
Although the drops will sting, they won't damage your baby's eyes, and the effect will wear off after a few hours.
The ophthalmologist will examine your baby's eyes using medical instruments thathave a light at one end and produce a magnified image of the eye. Bright light is shone into your child's eyes, enabling the ophthalmologist to look inside them.
The ophthalmologist will diagnose cataracts if they can see them in the lens. If your child is diagnosed with cataracts, the ophthalmologist will discuss the treatment options with you.
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Find out about childhood cataracts which occur when changes in the lens of the eye cause it to become less transparent, resulting in blurred or misty vision.
Symptoms of childhood cataracts can vary depending on how cloudy the lens is, where the cloudiness is in the lens and whether one or both eyes are affected.
Read about the possible causes of childhood cataracts including genes and genetic conditions and infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, chickenpox and toxoplasmosis.
Find out how childhood cataracts are diagnosed with the help of newborn screening, vision tests during early childhood and referral to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).
Read about the treatment options for childhood cataracts. Cataract surgery will usually only be recommended if your child's vision is affected.
Read about the complications of cataract surgery, including posterior capsule opacification (PCO) where part of the lens capsule thickens, causing cloudy vision.