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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Characterization of Molecular Mechanisms of In vivo UVR Induced Cataract
Published on: November 28, 2012
Congenital cataract etiology
L El Fkih1, W Hmaied, S El Hif
1Ophthalmology Service of Internal Security Forces Hospital, Marsa, Tunis.
Aim:
Our purpose is to study the aetiologies of congenital cataracts, and to establish an approach to decision making of etiological diagnosis.
Methods:
We included 85 children in a cross sectional study. The mean age was 4.5 years. These patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic and paediatric examination, and etiological investigation.
Results:
An aetiology of congenital cataracts was found in 62.5% of cases. Hereditary was the most common cause, it constituted 42.3% of etiologies. Among these cases 77.7% were autosomal recessive. 16.4% of congenital cataracts were associated with general diseases or dysmorphology syndromes. Metabolic diseases and intrauterine infections were found in 7 % and 4.7% of cases respectively.
Conclusion:
Heredity remains the most common etiology of congenital cataracts.
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