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Congenital cataract - Symptom

Alternative Names

Cataract - congenital

Symptoms:

Cloudiness of the lens that looks like a white spot in an otherwise normally dark pupil -- often obvious at birth without special viewing equipment
Failure of an infant to show visual awareness of the world around him or her (if cataracts present in both eyes)
Nystagmus (unusual rapid eye movements)

Signs and tests:

A complete eye examination by an ophthalmologist will readily diagnose congenital cataract. The search for a possible cause may require examination by a pediatrician experienced in hereditary disorders and possible blood tests or x-rays.

Eye

Cataract - close-up of the eye

Rubella Syndrome

Cataract

Reviewed last on: 8/22/2008
Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Guercio JR, Martyn LJ. Congenital malformations of the eye and orbit. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007 Feb;40(1):113-40, vii.

Olitsky SE, Hug D, and Smith LP. Abnormalities of the lens. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007; chap 627.

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