[Childhood cataract]

Cataracts are one of the most common preventable causes of blindness and severe visual impairment in children worldwide. Early detection and consistent conservative and surgical treatment can significantly improve visual function and quality of life. Knowledge of the different types of cataracts is clinically relevant, as they differ in terms of prognosis and accompanying systemic diseases. Cataract surgery in children is more challenging than surgery for senile cataracts. Special surgical techniques must be used to prevent posterior capsule opacification (PCO). For this purpose, different surgical techniques are available. The choice of surgical technique has implications for the choice of intraocular lenses (IOL) and the postoperative follow-up. Biometry and IOL calculation should account for a myopic shift throughout childhood. To provide a visual benefit to the child, long-term amblyopia treatment with refractive correction and occlusion therapy is crucial, and long-term clinical follow-up should evaluate for late complications such as PCO and secondary glaucoma.