What can I expect after cataract surgery for my baby?
Overall, discomfort from cataract surgery is mild. Most children will require no pain medication, few may use Tylenol. Medicated eye drops will help the eye heal and prevent infection during the first 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. A clear shield should be worn to protect the eye during the first two weeks.
How long after cataract surgery can complications occur?
Cystoid macular edema This is the most common complication of most cataract surgeries and appears up to 8 weeks after the procedure. It occurs in 1 to 2 percent of all cataract surgeries. Swelling is caused by the buildup of fluid in the eye that can lead to decreased vision.
What are the complications of congenital cataract?
Complications
- Visual axis opacification. Visual axis opacification and membrane formation is common, particularly in young children.
- Glaucoma. Glaucoma is common in children after surgery for congenital cataract and is difficult to manage.
- Postoperative uveitis.
- Retinal detachment.
- Endophthalmitis.
What newborn babies have the highest risk of complications?
Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complicated medical problems. Typically, complications of prematurity vary. But the earlier your baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.
How long does cataract surgery take on a baby?
Cataract surgery The operation, which usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, will be carried out by an ophthalmologist, a doctor specialising in the treatment of eye conditions. If the cataracts are present from birth, the operation will be carried out as soon as possible, usually 1 to 2 months after your baby is born.
What causes cataracts in newborns?
What are the causes? Heredity is a common cause of congenital cataracts in babies. Other causes include infection, inflammation, drug reactions. When mothers come down with measels, ruebella, or other infections while they are pregnant, the child may also be born with cataracts in one or both eyes.
What are the long-term side effects of cataract surgery?
When cataract surgery complications do occur, they can include:
- Posterior capsule opacification (PCO)
- Intraocular lens dislocation.
- Eye inflammation.
- Light sensitivity.
- Photopsia (perceived flashes of light)
- Macular edema (swelling of the central retina)
- Ptosis (droopy eyelid)
- Ocular hypertension (elevated eye pressure)
Why is there an urgency to deal with congenital cataracts?
Congenital cataract requires urgent attention; early treatment is the factor that most determines the final visual outcome. Visual development and maturation can be severely affected by the presence of lens opacities during the first ten years of life.
Will my baby have to stay in hospital if born at 37 weeks?
As a result of complications, late preterm babies may need to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or even readmitted to the hospital after discharge. RDS is by far the biggest risk for babies born at 36 weeks.
What happens if a baby is born at 37 weeks?
Babies born at 37 weeks are at risk for several complications. The biggest problem is lung maturity – at this stage, some babies will have trouble getting enough oxygen or breathing on their own, and might require medical intervention.
How often is a baby born with cataracts?
Cataracts in babies and children are rare. In the UK, around 2 to 3 in every 10,000 babies are born with cataracts. In children, cataracts can affect 1 or both eyes. Cloudy patches in the lens can sometimes get bigger and more can develop, resulting in the child’s vision becoming increasingly affected.
What can cause cataracts in a fetus during pregnancy?
As an example, tetracycline antibiotics used to treat infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause cataracts in newborn babies. Congenital cataracts also can occur when, during pregnancy, the mother develops infections such as measles or rubella (the most common cause), rubeola, chicken pox,…
How can cataracts affect a child’s vision?
Cloudy patches in the lens can sometimes get bigger and more can develop, resulting in the child’s vision becoming increasingly affected. As well as poor vision, cataracts can also cause “wobbling eyes” and a squint, where the eyes point in different directions. When your child is very young, it can be difficult to spot signs of cataracts.