CONGENITAL CATARACT

The etiology, type, therapy and some factors affecting visual rehabilitation after congenital cataract extraction in 80 cases are analysed and discussed. Heredity and environmental insult induce infant cataract so genetic counselling and infection free gestation are necessary for prevention. Failure to achieve better acuity postoperatively is due to delayed operation. In our series 97% of the patients were operated upon over 3 years of age. One quarter of them remain blind. These cataracts should be removed before 6 months of age to obtain the best visual results and prevent development of deprivation amblyopia. Constant visual correction and treatment of amblyopia are essential.