At what age should a cataract be removed from an infant or child?
Cataracts that cause significant visual loss are typically removed as soon as is safely possible. The visual part of the brain very actively develops during infancy and childhood. If a cataract causes a blurred picture, the visual part of the brain does not develop normally leading to loss of vision (amblyopia). A visually significant cataract should be removed and vision rehabilitated before the brain reaches visual maturity. This often involves patching an eye.
