What are the risks for a 1-year-old not getting cataract surgery?
MAR 30, 2011
Question:
Can you explain the risks of amblyopia for a child with symmetrical congenital genetic cataracts not getting surgery? My 1-year-old son was diagnosed with congenital cataracts in both eyes. What are the risks with him not getting surgery?
Answer:
Some cataracts are visually significant while others are not. At age 1 year it is hard to know for sure because we are not able to measure vision, so we must rely on experience and apparent function. The risks of early surgery are balanced by the risks of delay and this needs to typically be individualized. It can often be very difficult.