Deprivation Amblyopia in the Setting of Bilateral Congenital Cataracts: A Case Report.

Background: A cataract is an opacity of the crystalline lens that has the potential to cause vison loss or visual distortion. Etiologies of congenital cataracts include genetic mutation, hereditary, intrauterine infection during pregnancy, persistent fetal vasculature, association with metabolic disorders, and chromosomal syndromes. Congenital cataracts can present unilaterally or bilaterally and in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and colors. Depending on these characteristics, congenital cataracts may or may not affect vision. If they do, these cataracts warrant prompt surgical intervention to prevent deprivation amblyopia, which is reduced visual acuity due to a disruption to normal visual development. Optometrists play a crucial role in making the correct diagnosis and prompt referral. In addition, optometrists are responsible for managing these patients postoperatively for amblyopia treatment, correction of residual ametropia, and various post-operative complications. Case Report: A four-year-old male with Down syndrome presented with bilateral dense cataracts, sensory nystagmus, and decreased visual acuity. Due to the cataracts, refractive error and retinal health were unable to be assessed clinically. The patient was referred for consultation for surgical management with a guarded prognosis. The patient was also referred for a visual evoked potential to determine visual potential. Conclusion: If visually significant, one of the greatest concerns of congenital cataracts is deprivation amblyopia. Following prompt surgical intervention, optometrists must manage these patients closely, often over the course of their lives, to ensure optimal visual development and ocular health. Even if a patient presents outside the ideal treatment window, it is still important to recommend treatment, as there can be significant visual improvement recorded post-surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]