Cataracts are associated with the elderly but may also occur in children. Cataracts are an opacity that develops in the lens within the eye and which, in effect, alters normal vision into one that is hazy.

Consequently, the early detection of cataracts and other related problems would greatly be helpful for children in order not to be affected their entire lives as far as vision quality and normal living standards are concerned.

To know what causes cataract formation in a child, one should also review some causes that can lead to it.

What is Cataract?

A cataract is best described as a cloudy part of the lens found in the eyes, and this section focuses on childhood cataracts.

However, it is potentially vital to mention the types of cataracts in children before we proceed to find out the causes. Pediatric cataracts are generally classified into two categories:

What Causes Cataracts in a Child?

Congenital Cataracts: These are either birth or developmental characteristics, though the former develops shortly after the birth. They are usually asymmetric, which means that both eyes are involved most of the time. They can be symmetric, which affects only one eye.

Bilateral Cataracts appear after early childhood and can be due to some form of injury, disease, or other appreciable cause.

This is because each type of cataract has unique causes.

1. Inheritance and Heredity

Genetic factors are apparent in many children who present with cataracts. Cataracts may occur due to changes in the genetics of the eye; individuals may inherit defective lens structure or metabolic developments of the lens.

Genetic Mutations

Mutations in specific genes, such as those responsible for lens transparency, can disrupt the normal development of the eye lens.

For example, mutations in the CRYAA, CRYBB, or GJA8 genes are often implicated in congenital cataracts.

Hereditary Syndromes

Cataracts may be part of broader hereditary conditions such as:

Down syndrome: This genotype seems to also make children with this disorder more prone to developing cataracts.

Marfan syndrome: This connective tissue disorder of the human body sometimes results in lens dislocation and cataract formation.

Alport syndrome: Renal in etiology; this syndrome impacts the kidneys but can also cause this as a complication.

Cataracts should be tested constantly, especially for children with a family history of early signs of cataracts.

2. Metabolic Disorders

A cataract is also caused by metabolism disorders that interfere with the body’s chemical processes. Due to these conditions, proteins and other nutrients required for maintaining the lens’ clarity are hindered entry.

Galactosemia

Galactosemia is a hereditary form of metabolic disease, and it is quite a rare disorder as the human body cannot metabolize galactose, which is present in milk and dairy products. High levels of galactose in the blood cause “oil droplet” cataracts in infants, thus its importance.

Diabetes

While much rarer in children, juvenile diabetes can be the reason for highly varying blood sugars, which affects the osmotic balance of the lens and results in cataracts.

Wilson’s Disease

This is a very unusual disease wherein the body experiences excessive copper deposition, leading to tissue injury, particularly the optic bulbs, which cause cataracts.

3. Infections during pregnancy: (TORCH Infections)

The findings indicate that disease in a mother affects the growth of the child’s eyes during pregnancy. Some infections may interfere with the usual processes of eye development and cause congenital cataracts.

TORCH Infections

The term TORCH represents a group of infections that pose risks to fetal development:

Toxoplasmosis

That is other infections, the presence of which was followed by syphilis, varicella, etc.

Rubella (German measles)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Herpes simplex virus

It is also liable to be responsible for the creation of cataracts, whereby it forms the lens in the developing eye of the fetus inappropriately.

4. Trauma to the Eye

One of the main causes of acquired cataracts in children is trauma. Accidental trauma, such as a punch in the eye, a finger injury, or a blow in the eye region, as well as other injuries to the ocular region, could result in lens clouding.

Types of Traumatic Cataracts

Blunt Trauma: The swelling after an eye blow means that protein clumps together and forms an opaque portion in the lens.

Penetrating Injuries: If the lens comes into contact with sharp objects, a structural injury leads to cataract formation.

Signs of traumatic cataracts are especially present in children because they are still physically active and sensitive to injuries when playing or participating in sporting activities.

5. Nutritional Deficiencies

In alterations to the theme of this week, healthy vision is dependent on nutrition in a significant way. Lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet will affect lenses and their formation.

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency puts pressure on the lens, which was found to have a relationship with child cataract formation.

Protein Deficiency

In particular, proteins are important for the lens’ structural framework. Malnutrition in early childhood can contribute to cataract formation.

Ensuring a balanced diet rich in fruits, nuts, vegetables, and proteins is key to preventing cataracts related to nutritional deficiencies.

6. Steroid Use and Medications

That means that certain medications if taken for long or used when they are not necessary, can cause children to develop cataracts.

The use of oral corticosteroids to treat inflammatory conditions, asthma, or autoimmune diseases poses one of the most common risks.

Steroids induce cataracts relatively rarely, and their action on the lens explains their pathogenesis.

Steroids change the water and protein content of the lens and, therefore, promote lens opacities. Topical (eye drops) as well as systemic (oral or injected) steroids can produce this effect in the long run.

7. Radiation Exposure

Severely sunburned children, as well as children who have undergone other kinds of radiation treatments, are at an increased risk of cataracts.

UV Radiation

Long hours of sun exposure without proper eye protection are likely to alter the proteins in the lens, thus causing cataracts.

8. Medical Radiation

Specific examples of ocular side effects that such children may develop include cataracts.

Thus, the only two preventive actions for determining the level of UVP and avoiding UV radiation are wearing sunglasses with UVP and avoiding UV radiation where possible.

In detail, preterm birth is a birth that takes place earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy, and a low birth weight is less than 2500 grams at birth.

Children, including babies, are likely to develop these, and many others, including cataracts and even babies born prematurely. Incompletely developed organs in an individual also influence the formation of eye lenses.

Retinopathy of Prematurity

At times, oxygen can cause harm to premature infants by making something like ‘cataracts’ worse.

9. Maternal Substance Use

Factors associated with a mother’s behaviors during pregnancy affect the eye health of the child. Alcohol, smoking, and drug taking are high risks for congenital anomalies such as cataracts.

Alcohol

Prenatal alcoholism is closely related to the development of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which may manifest such signs as cataracts.

Smoking

Cook and others proved that pregnant women who take cigarettes are more likely to deliver children with eye complications.

10. Secondary Cataracts

Opportunistic infections or diseases can give rise to postoperative cataracts in a child. These include:

Uveitis: Inflammation sometimes becomes chronic, affects the lens through the uveal spread, and culminates in cataract conditions.

Glaucoma: Greater intraocular pressure may have something to do with the development of cataracts since it is not a direct cause.

Conclusion

Hereditary, metabolic, infective factors, injury, and environmental conditions can trigger congenital and developmental cataracts. Early diagnosis is crucial, as cataracts adversely affect vision development and learning. Such children should have regular eye check-ups, and parents should ensure they observe this rarely missed aspect in their child if, for instance, they belong to any of the listed categories.

Pamphlet C keeps away from cataracts by maintaining an appropriate diet, protecting the skin from UV radiation, and the prudent use of medication in children. Knowing the cause and being forward-looking can go a long way in preventing such incidents and improving the future of children with cataracts.