Isha Netralaya | Best Eye Hospital in Mumbai & Pune | Eye Specialist
Cataracts
Cataract – Adult & Child (Congenital) Eye Disease
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is an eye disease in which the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light from focusing properly on the retina.
This results in blurred vision, faded colours, glare, and difficulty seeing in low light.
A cataract is not a film over the eye—it is a structural change within the lens itself and usually progresses gradually.
Cataracts can affect:
Adults (age-related or secondary cataracts)
Children and infants (congenital or developmental cataracts)
How Cataract Affects Vision
The eye’s lens normally works like a camera lens—clear and transparent.
When a cataract develops:
Light scattering increases
Image sharpness reduces
Contrast and colour perception decline
Over time, daily activities like reading, driving, and recognising faces become difficult.
Adult Cataract (Age-Related Cataract)
Common Causes of Adult Cataract
Ageing – the most common cause
Diabetes
Excessive UV exposure
Smoking or tobacco use
Long-term steroid medication
Eye injury or inflammation
Genetic factors
Symptoms of Adult Cataract
Cloudy or blurred vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Glare or halos around lights
Frequent change in spectacle power
Faded or yellowish colours
Needing brighter light to read
⚠️ Cataract is painless, which often delays diagnosis.
Types of Adult Cataract
Nuclear cataract – affects the centre of the lens
Cortical cataract – affects the outer lens layers
Posterior subcapsular cataract – affects the back of the lens and progresses faster
Child Cataract (Congenital Cataract)
What Is Congenital Cataract?
Congenital cataract is a condition where a child is born with a cloudy lens or develops lens opacity during early childhood.
Because vision development occurs rapidly in the first few years of life, untreated cataract can interfere with normal brain–eye connection.
Why Child Cataract Is Serious
If light does not reach the retina clearly:
Visual development may stop
Lazy eye (amblyopia) can develop
Squint (strabismus) may occur
Permanent vision loss is possible
👉 Early detection is critical.
Causes of Child (Congenital) Cataract
Genetic or hereditary factors
Infections during pregnancy (Rubella, TORCH)
Metabolic disorders
Premature birth
Eye trauma
Associated systemic conditions
Unknown (idiopathic) causes
Cataract may affect one eye or both eyes.
Signs & Symptoms of Child Cataract
Parents should watch for:
White or grey reflex in the pupil (leukocoria)
Poor eye contact
Abnormal eye movements
Squint or crossed eyes
Delayed visual milestones
Child not following objects or faces
👶 Child cataract is usually painless and silent.
Types of Child Cataract
Nuclear cataract
Lamellar cataract
Polar cataract
Total cataract
Each type affects vision differently and requires careful monitoring.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor?
Vision starts interfering with daily activities
Glasses no longer improve vision
Night driving becomes difficult
White reflex or squint is noticed in a child
Family history of congenital eye diseases
Regular eye check-ups help in early diagnosis and planning.
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