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Clinical characteristics of congenital and developmental cataract in Kazakhstan
Aliya Kabylbekova1, Serik Meirmanov2, Altyn Aringazina3
1Department of Population Health and Social Science, Kazakhstan's Medical University, "KSPH", Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Insights
This study highlights that delayed presentation in children with congenital cataracts often leads to total cataracts and associated conditions like strabismus and nystagmus. Early detection and intervention are crucial for better outcomes in pediatric eye care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Genetics
Background:
- Congenital and developmental cataracts are significant causes of visual impairment in children.
- Understanding the clinical characteristics is vital for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical characteristics of congenital and developmental cataracts in children.
- To identify common presenting complaints, cataract types, and associated ocular and systemic findings.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 942 children (1311 eyes) with congenital/developmental cataract over 10 years.
- Data collected included gender, age at surgery, presenting complaint, cataract morphology, laterality, family history, and associated findings.
Main Results:
- Over half of patients (62.3%) had surgery after age 3; white pupils were the most common complaint (48.1%).
- Total cataracts were most frequent. Strabismus (27.2%) and nystagmus (19.3%) were common. 14.1% had a family history; 10.3% had ocular dysmorphology, and 15.8% had systemic diseases, with Down syndrome being frequent.
- Bilateral cataracts were more common in boys (P = 0.028).
Conclusions:
- Delayed presentation is linked to a high prevalence of total cataracts.
- The frequent association with strabismus and nystagmus suggests consequences of delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose:
To study and describe clinical characteristics of congenital and developmental cataract at a tertiary eye care facility.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 942 children (1311 eyes) presenting with congenital/developmental cataract over a 10-year study period were included. Gender, age at surgery, main presenting complaint, morphologic type of cataract, laterality, family history, and associated findings were recorded.
Results:
The overall proportion of boys and girls undergoing cataract surgery was approximately equal (P = 0.110). However, in the cases of bilateral cataract, the proportion of boys was larger than girls (P = 0.028). More than half (62.3%) of the patients underwent surgery at the age of >3 years. The main presenting complaint was white pupils, accounting for 48.1% of cases. Total cataract was the most common morphologic type in all age groups. In total, 133 children out of 942 (14.1%) had a positive family history of congenital/developmental cataract. Strabismus and nystagmus were seen in 27.2% and 19.3% of the eyes, respectively. Additional ocular dysmorphology was found in 97 (10.3%) of patients. Coexisting systemic disease was found in 149 (15.8%) cases. Among syndrome-associated cataracts, Down syndrome accounted for the majority of cases.
Conclusion:
High prevalence of total cataracts as well as frequent association with strabismus and nystagmus are likely to be the consequences of delayed presentation.
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