A congenital cataract is the clouding of the eye’s crystalline lens and becomes apparent from birth or within the first few months of the child’s life.
The most common symptom of congenital cataract is a white reflection of the pupil, which is easily noticeable by parents and pediatricians. However, sometimes a congenital cataract can also cause strabismus, leading to diagnosis during an examination for potential strabismus.
Management and treatment of congenital cataract are very important. This means that after diagnosis, the ophthalmic surgeon should proceed promptly with surgical intervention within the first two months of the child’s life. However, if the case is not advanced and does not significantly affect the child’s vision, it can be managed conservatively with regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist, without requiring surgical intervention.