Causes of Cataracts in Children

Childhood cataract is a rare condition in children but one that can seriously affect vision. Cataract in children occurs as a result of the eye’s lens becoming cloudy and preventing light from focusing properly on the retina. The retina is a layer located at the back of the eye that transmits images to the brain. Cataract can cause children to see the world blurred or cloudy.

What Are the Causes of Cataract in Children?

In children, it can generally develop due to congenital reasons or acquired reasons that emerge during childhood. The causes are as follows:

• Babies can be born this way from birth. This condition can usually occur due to a genetic disorder or infections the mother was exposed to during pregnancy.

• Infections such as measles, mumps, toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus are among the factors that can lead to the disease.

• Some types can be inherited genetically. A hereditary disease caused by genes coming from parents can cause its development in children.

• Eye injuries or traumas can cause this disease. Especially children who receive a blow to the eye area may be at risk.

• Some medications, especially some medications used during pregnancy or used by children, can contribute to the development of the disease.

• Some systemic diseases, especially conditions such as diabetes, Down syndrome, and metabolic disorders, can cause this disease in children.

What Are the Treatment Methods?

It can vary depending on the type and severity of the disease and the age of the child.

• Generally, cataract treatment in children is performed surgically. In the surgical procedure, the clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Depending on the child’s age and condition, the surgical procedure is performed from birth or when the disease becomes more mature.

• In some children, the use of glasses or contact lenses may be required after surgery. This helps the child’s eye to focus and can improve the quality of vision.

• In cases where it is not diagnosed or treated at early ages, amblyopia (vision loss due to lazy eye) can develop in the child. In this case, amblyopia treatment is applied. It is aimed to correct amblyopia with methods such as eye patching treatment, glasses or contact lenses, and eye exercises.

• Regular follow-up and control are important in the treatment process in children. The ophthalmologist monitors the child’s eye health by performing regular examinations after surgery and makes additional treatments or adjustments when necessary.

How Long Does Cataract Surgery Take in Children?

The duration of the surgery can vary depending on several factors.

• Its size, density, and location can affect the surgical time. Some types of cataracts can be more complex and may require a longer surgical time.

• It can be performed using different surgical techniques. For example, methods such as manual surgery or phacoemulsification (breaking the lens and suctioning using ultrasonic energy) can be used. The duration of the surgery may vary depending on the surgical technique used.

• In some cases, unexpected complications may arise during surgery, for example, situations such as damage to intraocular structures or iris problems can prolong the surgery time.

Most of the time, cataract surgery in children can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour, but since every child’s situation is different, the surgery time may vary depending on your doctor’s evaluation and the treatment plan. The duration of the surgery may vary depending on the child’s condition, the experience of the surgical team, and the technology used.