Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ May be unilateral or bilateral May exist as isolated defects May be accompanied by other ocular disorders or systemic disease +++ Clinical Findings ++ Leukocoria, poor fixation, and strabismus or nystagmus may be the presenting complaints Absence of a red reflex in the newborn may be due to a cataract, which requires an urgent referral to an ophthalmologist +++ Diagnosis ++ Laboratory investigation for infectious, genetic and metabolic causes of bilateral congenital cataracts is often indicated Such investigation would include cultures or serologic tests for Toxoplasmosis Rubella Cytomegalovirus Herpes simplex virus Syphilis Inborn metabolic errors, such as galactosemia or Lowe syndrome +++ Treatment ++ Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent deprivation amblyopia in children younger than 9 years because they are visually immature Cataracts that are visually significant require removal Visually significant cataracts in infants are usually removed prior to 6 weeks of age to prevent deprivation amblyopia Rehabilitation of the vision will require the correction of refractive errors and amblyopia treatment Contact lenses, glasses, and artificial intraocular lenses are used to correct refractive errors after cataract extraction Concomitant treatment of associated amblyopia, glaucoma, and the underlying systemic disease as indicated Your MyAccess profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth