ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute and the Lions Clubs International Foundation announced today that the two organizations are forming a new global partnership aimed at conquering pediatric and congenital cataracts, a significant cause of childhood vision loss and blindness.
The Pediatric Cataract Initiative will utilize the resources of both organizations to identify, fund and promote innovative methods of overcoming childhood cataracts for the long-term benefit of children, their families and their communities, according to a press release issued by Bausch + Lomb.
Causes of congenital cataracts include maternal infections during pregnancy such as rubella (also known as German measles). Other causes include metabolic disorders and genetically transmitted syndromes. Causes of pediatric cataracts affecting older children include trauma to the eye.
During its first year, the Pediatric Cataract Initiative’s primary focus will be on the People’s Republic of China, where at least 40,000 children are estimated to suffer from pediatric cataract. The prevalence of pediatric cataract ranges from one to four children per 10,000 births in developing countries – 10 times the rate of occurrence in developed nations.
Surgery to remove a congenital cataract must take place soon very early in life to prevent amblyopia and permanent vision loss. The cloudy lens can be replaced with an intraocular lens during the cataract surgery, or the infant or young child can be prescribed contact lenses to correct his or her eyesight and promote normal vision development.
In less successful cases, access to low vision services may be needed.
For additional information, visit www.PediatricCataract.org.
Tags: children, congenital cataracts, Pediatric Cataract Initiative, pediatric cataracts