Cataracts, childhood

Cataracts are cloudy patches in the lens (the transparent structure at the front of the eye) that can make vision blurred or misty. They can develop in one or both eyes, and one eye can often be more affected than the other.

The lens

The lens is normally clear. It allows light to pass through to the back of the eye. If parts of the lens become cloudy (opaque), light cannot pass through the cloudy patches.

Over time, these cloudy patches usually become bigger, and more of them develop. As less light is able to pass through the lens, vision may become blurry or cloudy. The cloudier the lens becomes, the more sight will be affected.

How common are childhood cataracts?

Cataracts in babies and older children can be classified as:

• congenital cataracts: cataracts that are present when a baby is born or shortly afterwards
• developmental, infantile or juvenile cataracts: cataracts that are diagnosed in older babies or children

Childhood cataracts are very rare, affecting about three children in every 10,000 in the UK.

Age-related cataracts

Cataracts are most commonly found in older people. These are called age-related cataracts. See the Health A-Z topic about Age-related cataracts for information about this condition.

Outlook

In babies and children, cataracts can be mild, and often have little or no effect on their vision. However, they can also slow down or stop the normal development of sight during childhood. Severe childhood cataracts that are not treated can sometimes cause irreversible damage to eyesight, including blindness.

Surgery can be performed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. Glasses will often need to be worn after the operation, or a patch may have to be worn in order to strengthen the vision in the weaker eye. Most children with childhood cataracts live a full and normal life. 

Glossary

Lens

The transparent structure at the front of your eye, just behind your pupil (the black circle in the centre.