A clinical study of congenital cataract and its visual outcome at regional eye hospital, Warangal, Telangana

Background: Congenital cataracts present very important ophthalmological and socio economic problem. It is one of the causes of blindness continuous to receive emphasis as a school health problem throughout the world. Aim: Clinical evaluation and visual outcome following surgery in congenital cataract. Materials and methods: It was a clinical study on the patients who have attended out-patient department of Ophthalmology for a period for a period of 2 year. 50 cases under the age of 12 years who were operated by SICS with PCIOL (PMMA) and Phaco with foldable IOLs were included in study. All the cases were followed for a period of 3 months. Results: Among the 50 cases, positive family history of congenital cataract was present in 6%. Systemic and ocular abnormalities were present in 3 (6%) and 10 (20%) cases of congenital cataract. Majority of children presented with visual acuity of PL. Majority of children got vision between 6/36 to 6/24. 48% presented with total cataract followed by lamellar cataract 36%. Most of the children had amblyopia followed by squint and optic atrophy. Most of the intra operative complications were posterior capsular rupture followed by premature rupture, hyphema and iridodialysis. Posterior capsular opacification was common followed by iritis, shallow AC and corneal edema. IOL implantation was done in 90% of congenital cataract cases and in 5 % of cases secondary IOL is implanted. Mean IOL power calculated was + 18.00D. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and meticulous management of congenital cataract may give satisfactory vision with minimal complications.