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Epidemiology based etiological study of pediatric cataract in western India
S R Kaid Johar1, N K Savalia, A R Vasavada
1Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Gurukul Road, Memnagar, Ahmedabad-380 052, India.
Insights
Nearly 12% of childhood cataracts in India are preventable. Maternal illness and medication use during pregnancy were significant factors in undetermined cases, highlighting the need for health education to reduce pediatric cataracts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood cataracts account for approximately 10% of blindness in Indian children.
- The specific causes and detailed epidemiological data for pediatric cataracts in India are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiological factors contributing to childhood cataracts.
- To identify potentially preventable causes of pediatric cataracts in four western Indian states.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, hospital-based study involving 172 pediatric cataract patients.
- Cataract types were diagnosed via slit-lamp biomicroscopy or operating microscope.
- Standardized questionnaires and biochemical/microbiological tests (rubella, glucose) were employed.
Main Results:
- 88.4% of cataracts were non-traumatic, while 11.6% were traumatic.
- Among non-traumatic cataracts, undetermined causes were highest (73.0%), followed by secondary (15.1%), hereditary (7.2%), and congenital rubella syndrome (4.6%).
- In undetermined cases, 67% of mothers reported illness and 22% reported medication use during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 12% of non-traumatic pediatric cataracts are linked to potentially preventable factors.
- Health education for women of childbearing age and school children is crucial for reducing the incidence of pediatric cataracts.
Background:
Cataract is responsible for about 10% blindness among children in India. Etiology of cataract is not well defined especially for childhood cataracts and epidemiological data for Indian population is not available in details.
Aim:
This study was performed to survey the causes of childhood cataracts and to identify the preventable factors in four western states of India.
Settings And Design:
The present study is a hospital-based, prospective study on 172 consecutive pediatric cataract patients.
Material And Methods:
Type of cataract was determined using slit-lamp bio-microscopy or operation microscope after mild general anesthesia especially on very young babies. Other anomalies of eye were determined using appropriate ophthalmic instruments. Parents of the patients were interviewed in their native language using a standardized questionnaire. Biochemical and microbiological tests such as for rubella, reducing sugar and blood glucose were also performed.
Results:
Out of 172 children, 88.4% had non-traumatic cataract and 11.6% had traumatic cataracts. Among non-traumatic cataracts, 7.2% were hereditary, 4.6% were due to congenital rubella syndrome, 15.1% were secondary and 73.0% were undetermined. In the group of undetermined cases, during pregnancy 67% of the mother had history of illness, and 22% had taken medications during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
Our study shows that nearly 12% of non-traumatic cataract is due to potentially preventable causes. Health education of women to childbearing age and school children can decrease incidence of pediatric cataracts.
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