Clinical characteristics of congenital and developmental cataract undergoing surgical treatment

Methods: A mail questionnaire was sent to 49 facilities engaged in surgical treatment of congenital cataracts, and data on preoperative clinical features were collected. Results: Twenty nine facilities reported on 864 eyes of 521 patients with congenital/infantile cataract, ranging in age at initial visit from 0 to 18.8 years (2.6 ± 3.3 years, mean ± standard deviation). Among the patients, 65.8 % had bilateral cataracts and 34.2 % were unilaterally affected. Family history was found for 22.4 % of cases, of which 98.1 % were bilateral. Family history was positive for 33.1 % of bilateral and 1.3 % of unilateral cases. The most common main complaint was white pupil for 35.7 % of bilateral cases and 32.7 % for unilateral cases. Concomitant systemic abnormalities were more frequently associated with bilateral cases (31.6 %) than with unilateral cases (16.7 %). Associated ocular diseases, such as strabismus, persistent fetal vasculature, and posterior lenticonus, were more frequently seen among unilateral cases whereas nystagmus was more common among bilateral cases. Conclusions: Among congenital/developmental cataracts, the ratio of bilateral and unilateral cases was approximately 2:1. Almost all patients with a family history of congenital cataract were bilateral. Initial visits to a physician were rather late, 2.6 years from birth; this should be improved.

Purpose: To analyze the clinical characteristics of congenital/developmental cataract undergoing surgery.