Cataract surgery in children is a complex issue best left to surgeons familiar with its long-term complications and lengthy follow-up. Child Eye Specialist In malad at Raghu Kamal’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital’s treatment is often difficult and tedious and requires a dedicated team effort. Our team at Raghu Kamal’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital offers the expertise, child-modified equipment and advanced technology to diagnose and treat cataracts in even our tiniest patients. It is one of the best centres for Child Eye Specialist In malad Our pediatric ophthalmologist: Are very experienced in treating kids with cataracts, and have removed cataracts in newborn babies Have access to specialized tools and equipment necessary to operate these difficult and challenging cases Can predict the growth of your child’s eye with customized software that lets us choose the best lens to serve her through adulthood Use the latest refined, delicate lens implantation techniques Have successfully implanted intraocular lenses in babies as young as six month old If my child is born with a cataract, when should it be removed? If your child is born with a dense cataract, we like to remove within first two months, and definitely by four months. In cases of cataract in both eyes, It is important to keep the time interval between the surgeries performed on the two eyes to a minimum. In general, the sooner we take the cataract out, the better the vision your child will be able to develop afterwards.Child Eye Specialist In malad at Raghu Kamal’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital will guide you in the best possible way. Treatment before the surgery You may be asked to instill antibiotic eyedrops for a day or two preceding the operation to minimise the chances of infection. Dilating drops are instilled on the day of the surgery. If the surgery is planned to be done under general anesthesia, your child may be asked not to take anything orally for 4-6 hours before the surgery.Child Eye Specialist In malad Anesthesia The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic in children and is normally a day care procedure. That means that the child is discharged from the hospital on the same day of the surgery. Older children may be operated under local anesthesia if it is thought to be appropriate. What is actually done in the surgery? In the surgery, a very small incision (cut) is made in the surface (cornea) at the front of the eye, and the cloudy lens is removed. Without the lens, the eye cannot focus. To correct this, the natural lens may be replaced with a clear plastic lens. This is called an intraocular lens (IOL) or intraocular implant.Child Eye Specialist In malad In smaller children (<8 years) the membrane and the gel directly behind the intraocular implant would have to be cleared during the surgery (posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy). This is of utmost importance to keep the visual axis clear over a long period of time. Sometimes, a contact lens on the eye’s surface may be used instead of an IOL. This will be fitted one-to-two weeks after the operation. This may be particularly useful in babies and children with anterior uveitis. After-Care following the surgery Following eye surgery, a pad may be put over the affected eye, which will usually be removed on the same or the next day. There is no need to wear a patch or bandage at home and your child can return to daily activities, such as reading, as soon as he/she feel able to. The aim is to get the eyes working normally as quickly as possible. You will be required to instill eyedrops to reduce the swelling for a period of about 4-6 weeks.Child Eye Specialist In malad Your child should protective goggles as soon as the eye pad is removed. Vision corrective glasses may be given 1-4 weeks following the surgery. Your child should be able to return to school a couple of weks after surgery There are no dietary restrictions or limitations to normal routine activities. Swimming or contact sports are to be avoided for 6-8 weeks following surgery. What are the Risks of surgery? In about 0.4 percent of all new borns, congenital cataracts are found at or develop soon after birth. Visually significant cataract in children calls for prompt surgical intervention to clear the ocular media and provide a focused retinal image for proper visual development to occur. For best results in Child Eye Specialist In malad contact Raghu Kamal’s Super Speciality Eye Hospital at the earliest.