Update on the surgical management of pediatric cataracts

The treatment of pediatric cataracts is rapidly evolving, and the visual prognosis for infants and children with cataracts is improving, due in part to earlier surgery, increased frequency of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, more effective amblyopia therapy following surgery, and better forms of optical correction. A surgeon treating a child with a cataract is faced with an assortment of therapeutic dilemmas such as whether an IOL should be implanted, whether foldable lenses are appropriate, and whether the posterior capsule should be opened during surgery. Although the surgery can be technically difficult in small and unforgiving eyes, it is often the easy part as treatment decisions and results have lifelong implications.