The value of serial personal photographs in timing the onset of unilateral cataracts in children

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Gagan K. Sawhney, Emory University; Amy K Hutchinson, Emory University; Scott R Lambert, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2009-10
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2009 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaapos.2009.08.007
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• ISSN: 1091-8531
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 459
• End Page: 462
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Opthamology; Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the value of serial personal photographs in timing the onset of unilateral cataracts in children over 6 months of age. Methods: Personal photographs from 11 children with unilateral cataracts who underwent CE and IOL implantation when ≥ 6 months of age were reviewed. Photographs were evaluated for changes in the red reflex which might indicate the presence of a cataract. Results: The children underwent cataract surgery at a mean age of 40.3 months. They were followed for a mean of 33.2 months. Nine children were diagnosed as having an acquired cataract by photographic review documenting a previously normal red reflex. The visual acuity in the affected eye of 4 of these 9 children improved to ≥ 20/60. Cataracts were visible on photographs prior to clinical diagnosis in 5 patients, from 0.5 to 22 months prior to clinical diagnosis, but visual outcomes were not correlated with the photographically documented duration of the cataract prior to treatment. Photographs were not helpful in timing the onset of cataract in two children due to the poor quality of the images. Conclusions: Serial personal photographs are helpful in determining whether cataracts are acquired. However, they have limited usefulness in predicting the visual outcome presumably because other factors such as compliance with patching therapy are also critical in achieving good visual outcomes.