Cataracts

By: Courtney Jones EDU 214 Fall 2013

Cataracts
A cataract is the cloudiness that can develop on the lens of the eye. Cataracts can be very tiny, in which case, they do not interfere with vision, or they can affect the entire lens, resulting in severe loss of vision.

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts can be congenital (present at birth) which occurs when the lens didnt form properly. This is more common in children who also have other eye problems or health problems. Acquired cataracts are caused by abnormal interactions among the proteins that make up the lens. Over time, these abnormal interactions cause clumping, specks, opacities and/or cloudy areas to form.

Possible acquired cataract causes:

Idiopathic (unknown) Trauma to the eye Diabetes or another metabolic disease Steroid use Complications from other eye diseases, such as uveitis (inflammation of the eye) Complications from treatment of other childhood diseases Radiation therapy Poisoning

How are cataracts diagnosed?

A pediatrician or an eye doctor can perform many tests to check your childs eyes. These doctors can perform a visual acuity test (the common eye chart test), which measures how well your child can see at various distances. The doctor can dilate your childs pupils with eye drops- this allows to examine the back of the eye

Around one in 5,000 children are born with a cataract. Taken together, congenital and acquired cataracts occur in about 4 percent of children.

Symptoms of Cataracts:

Blurred vision
Decreased vision Double vision Halo around lights

Light sensitivity
Seeing faded colors White pupil or white dot in pupil

Students who are diagnosed with cataracts may be considered low vision learners and may require an IEP as well as special tools.

Normal vision

Vision with cataract

Teaching strategies for low vision learners

Be aware of the students IEP Have student sit closer to the instructor to be able to see demonstrations or hand movements Use glasses or a magnifier to see better Large print or enlarged pictures Instructor communicates verbally with everything Braille Talking test software Image simplifying software 3-D images for concept development

Family Resources
Boston Childrens Hospital 300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115

800-355-7944
www.childrenshospital.org

American Association for Pediatrics Ophthalmology and Strabismus P.O. Box 193832 San Francisco, CA 94119-3832 415-561-8505 www.aapos.org

Eye Clinic, Childrens National Medical Center 111 Michigan Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20010 202-476-5000 www.childrensnational.org

Resources
Childrens national medical center. ((2013) 2013). Retrieved from www.childrensnational.org

Hered, R.W., M.D. (2011). Effective vision screening of young children in the pediatric office. Pediatric Annals, 40 (2), 76-82. Doi:http//dx.doi.org/10.3928/00904481-20110117-06
Kidsmd health topics/cataracts. ((2013)2013). Retrieved from www.childrenshospital.org