Infantile Cataracts

Infantile cataracts are a significant cause of treatable blindness in infants worldwide, accounting for 12% to 15% of visually impaired children in countries as diverse as Finland and India. This places an enormous socioeconomic burden, especially on the already strained resources of developing countries. Population-based studies have estimated the prevalence between 1 and 13 cases per 10,000 births. Most are congenital, but some cataracts may not manifest at birth, but in the first year, making the term infantile cataracts more inclusive. They are evaluated and treated in the same manner. Diagnosing and managing congenital cataracts can be challenging and requires appropriate timing of surgery, amblyopia treatment, refractive correction, and vigilance for the higher incidence of postoperative complications.