Is cataract surgery suitable for a one year old child?

katrine · Newbie Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 2

Hello! My brother has a one year old son. He has a cataract on his right eye. My brother has two more children who are perfectly healthy and we were all in shock when cataract was discovered in his youngest son. His doctor recommends surgery but my brother is afraid since he heard cataract surgery is very difficult in small children. We are all very concerned he may lose his eyesight. Is cataract surgery suitable for a one year old child?

evvy · Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

Hello! Your brother is right when he says that cataract surgery is difficult in small children. I can add that cataract surgery on babies is extremely difficult but sometimes it is the only solution. Untreated cataracts prevent the developing brain from learning to see so the causes can be very serious. Standard treatment as in adult is avoided in such young children because inflammation and implant rejection can occur more often.

Is cataract surgery suitable for a one year old child?

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