Coimbatore: A city eye hospital restored the vision of a one-year-old infant who suffered dense cataract in both eyes.
According to Dr Rajesh Prabu, consultant, department of paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, Sankara Eye Hospital, the parents of Baby Mugilan noticed that the child had pearl-like spot in both eyes.
They were helpless until they heard about the community outreach camp being held at Krishnagiri, and organised by Sankara Eye Hospital, where the parents lived.
When the doctors examined Mugilan at the camp, he was diagnosed with dense cataract in both eyes and immediately referred to Sankara Eye Hospital, Coimbatore. Preliminary eye examinations were conducted and the doctor advised cataract removal from both eyes.
The baby was taken for surgery under general anesthesia. The cataract was removed and the infant has been prescribed glasses.
Since the child is very young, intraocular lens placement has been deferred by two years. Since the child was detected and treated early, his vision would be good, said the doctor. "It is estimated that congenital cataracts are responsible for 5 to 20 per cent of blindness in children worldwide.
The prevalence of pediatric cataract has been reported as 1 to 15 per 10,000 children," Dr Rajesh noted. The causes for childhood cataract include genetically transmitted (familial) diseases, rubella infection in the mother during pregnancy and metabolic disorders in the child.
In most cases, the cause remains a mystery. It can occur in either one or both eyes. The cure for pediatric cataract lies in early diagnosis and surgical correction. Leaving it untreated can lead to lazy eye and permanent visual disability, he added.
