1 Department of Pediatrics,
² Eye Clinic University of Padua,
³ Robert Hollman Foundation, Padua Centre,
Via Giustiniani n° 3 Padua,
Italy

Introduction

Congenital cataract remains an important and frequently difficult problem to manage and it continues to account for a significant proportion of children with partial sight and blindness . A complete visual rehabilitation is rarely possible particularly in children with mental retardation.

Purpose

The authors evaluated the visual outcomes of a group of aphakic children treated for bilateral congenital cataract.

8 children (age 0 - 5 years) who underwent surgery before age 6 months were prospectively evaluated from 1994 to 1999. Fifty percent presented multi-disabilities associated. Preferential looking test techniques (Teller acuity cards) were used to measure visual acuity. Six children underwent a taylor-made program of visual rehabilitation (R. Hollman Foundation, Padua centre).

Visual acuity ranged from 1,3 to 19 cy/degree (from 2/47 to 20/32). Fifty percent achieved visual acuity within the age norm.

Early detection and treatment, correct surgical management and the post-operative care (optical correction and occlusion therapy) are the most important factors in determining the visual outcome in congenital cataract. Much time, patience and undestanding are required by ophthalmologists and their co-workers involved in the management of these children.