25/10/2024
WHAT IS PEDIATRIC CATARACT?
While cataracts are often associated with older people, children actually develop cataracts, too. A cataract is a condition in which the natural lens of the eyes becomes cloudy, causing vision to be blurry or hazy.
Pediatric cataracts can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develop as an infant, child, or adolescent). These can occur in one or both eyes. When both eyes have a cataract, one can be worse than the other. Cataracts may appear in different parts of the lens and range in size from tiny dots to dense clouds. Genetics, metabolic disorders like diabetes, and eye injury can all cause cataracts.
Consult your ophthalmologist for more information on pediatric cataracts.
A PUBLIC ADVISORY FROM THE PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY: Beware of unproven eye medicine, eye drops, and eye devices that are being peddled as a cure-all or prevention of the different eye conditions. Consult your ophthalmologist for the proper care of your eyes.
