pediatrics
Congenital Cataract
Diagnosis of Congenital Cataract
Eye examinations Sometimes imaging Diagnosis is suspected during routine eye examination at birth and at routine well-child visits if the red reflex is abnormal and/or the optic disc is obscured on ophthalmoscopy. Children with these findings should always be evaluated urgently by an ophthalmologist because unilateral congenital cataracts should be surgically removed within the first 4 to 6 weeks of life. The ophthalmologist does a dilated eye examination and possibly ultrasonography of the eye to confirm the diagnosis of a cataract and ensure no other structural problems affect the retina. 