Cataracts in Children

A cataract is a clouding in the eye's lens, the clear part in the eye that helps to focus light and images. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Department of Ophthalmology states although cataracts are generally found in adults of 40 years old, they can affect newborn babies, infants and young children.

Causes

• Some children are born with congenial cataracts, while others can develop the disease because of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, eye injuries or glaucoma.

Types

• A subcapsular cataract is found in the back of the lens, and often affects children with diabetes and retinitis pigmentosa. A nuclear cataract affects the center of the lens. A cortical cataract, which is often found in children with diabetes, develops in the outside and center of the lens.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of cataracts in children include blurry or cloudy vision, sensitivity to light, double vision, nearsightedness and decreased vision. Children with cataracts can also see a glare or halo when they look at lights.

Diagnosis

• Allrefer.com states that during a vision acuity test, a child is asked to read different lines of letters on an eye chart while standing approximately 20 feet from the chart. Sometimes a doctor will dilate a child's pupils with eye drops during an examination to look at her retinas.

Treatment

• During cataract surgery, a doctor removes cataracts in a child's eyes. Sometimes during surgery, a doctor will replace a damaged lens with a monofocal or multifocal contact lens. Another option is children can get glasses or contacts after surgery.