[Spontaneous reduction and absorption of cataracts in childhood]

The authors give an account on spontaneous reduction and absorption of cataracts in nine children. The initial symptom where leukocoria predominated was as a rule detected already in infant age. In one case the affection was bilateral and was manifested by partial pseudoaphakia. The observation comprised also classical secondary aphakia in a 4-year-old girl. Resorption of lenticular masses of cataracts into the shape of membranous discs or reduced masses of a fibrous character took on average 18 months on seven eyes and this process was associated with vascular activity in four lenses. In two of these patients during resorption panuveitis was observed with a hyperergic response in humoral and cellular immunity without obvious general antigenic action which caused atrophy of the optic nerve. Surgical solution of cataract was used in four eyes, PC IOL was implanted in one patient which had a favourable effect on visual function. Histological examination was successful of the extracted reduced lens only in one case. Inside the lenticular capsule was a mixture of the original fibrotically altered cataract masses with ingrowing vascular tissue.