Paediatrics: Cataract

Cataract

This refers to an opacification of the lens. It may be congenital or ac-quired.

Causes of cataract

•   Inherited/genetic:

•   myotonic dystrophy;

•   Walker-Warburg syndrome.

•   Congenital maternal infection: e.g. rubella, toxoplasmosis.

•   Trauma.

•   Radiotherapy.

•   Inflammation: e.g. chronic iritis.

•   Infection.

•   Metabolic syndromes:

•   galactosaemia;

•   Wilson’s disease;

•   Lowes’;

•   Fabry’s.

•   Other syndromes: e.g. trisomy 21.

•   Drugs: e.g. long-term steroid therapy.

Absence of the normal bilateral red reflex, or the presence of a white reflex on ophthalmoscopic examination, should raise suspicion of an underlying cataract and immediate referral to an ophthalmologist is required.