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Cataract, Congenital: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Coauthor(s): Johanne Menassa, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Laval Hospital, Quebec City; C Corina Gerontis, MD, Consulting Staff, Departments of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, Schneider Children's Hospital/Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jun 8, 2009

Differential Diagnoses

Retinoblastoma

Other Problems to Be Considered

Corneal opacity (ulcer, scar, dermoid)
Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous
Retinal detachment
Lenticular coloboma

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • For unilateral cataracts, laboratory studies include TORCH titers and Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test.
  • For bilateral cataracts, laboratory studies include CBC, BUN, TORCH titers, VDRL, urine for reducing substances, red cell galactokinase, urine for amino acids, calcium, and phosphorus.

Imaging Studies

  • CT scan of brain

Other Tests

  • Hearing test

More on Cataract, Congenital

Overview: Cataract, Congenital
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Cataract, Congenital
Treatment & Medication: Cataract, Congenital
Follow-up: Cataract, Congenital
References

References

  1. Ceyhan D, Schnall BM, Breckenridge A, et al. Risk factors for amblyopia in congenital anterior lens opacities. J AAPOS. Dec 2005;9(6):537-41. [Medline].

  2. Haider S, Qureshi W, Ali A. Leukocoria in children. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. May-Jun 2008;45(3):179-80. [Medline].

  3. Koc F, Kargi S, Biglan AW, et al. The aetiology in paediatric aphakic glaucoma. Eye. Dec 2006;20(12):1360-5. [Medline].

  4. Birch EE, Cheng C, Stager DR Jr, et al. Visual acuity development after the implantation of unilateral intraocular lenses in infants and young children. J AAPOS. Dec 2005;9(6):527-32. [Medline].

  5. Sidorenko EI, Shirshov MV, Korkh NL. [Preliminary results of primary implantation of flexible intraocular lenses in infants under 1 year of age]. Vestn Oftalmol. Sep-Oct 2005;121(5):37-8. [Medline].

  6. Capozzi P, Morini C, Piga S, et al. Corneal Curvature and Axial Length values in children with Congenital/Infantile Cataract in the first 42 Months of life. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. May 23 2008;[Medline].

  7. Biglan AW, Cheng KP, Davis JS, et al. Secondary intraocular lens implantation after cataract surgery in children. Am J Ophthalmol. Feb 1997;123(2):224-34. [Medline].

  8. Brady KM, Atkinson CS, Kilty LA, e al. Cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in children. Am J Ophthalmol. Jul 1995;120(1):1-9. [Medline].

  9. Buckley E, Lambert SR, Wilson ME. IOLs in the first year of life. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. Sep-Oct 1999;36(5):281-6. [Medline].

  10. Cassidy L, Taylor D. Congenital cataract and multisystem disorders. Eye. Jun 1999;13 (Pt 3b):464-73. [Medline].

  11. Cheng KP, Hiles DA, Biglan AW, et al. Management of posterior lenticonus. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. May-Jun 1991;28(3):143-9; discussion 150. [Medline].

  12. Mori M, Keech RV, Scott WE. Glaucoma and ocular hypertension in pediatric patients with cataracts. J AAPOS. Jun 1997;1(2):98-101. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

congenital cataract, congenital cataracts, cataract extraction, cataract surgery, deprivation amblyopia, refractive amblyopia, glaucoma, vision loss, visual deficit, blindness, rubella

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American College of International Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Biomedical Engineering Society, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, International College of Surgeons US Section, Ontario Medical Association, Quebec Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Johanne Menassa, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Laval Hospital, Quebec City
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

C Corina Gerontis, MD, Consulting Staff, Departments of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology, Schneider Children's Hospital/Long Island Jewish Medical Center
C Corina Gerontis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Richard W Allinson, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Senior Staff Ophthalmologist, Scott and White Clinic
Richard W Allinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

J James Rowsey, MD, Former Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, Florida
J James Rowsey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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