A child has got a congenital cataract involving the visual axis which was detected by the parents right at bih. This child should be operated –
**Core Concept**
The management of a congenital cataract in a child, especially one involving the visual axis, requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent permanent vision loss. The goal is to restore vision and allow the developing brain to mature with optimal visual input.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Surgical removal of the cataractous lens is essential to prevent amblyopia (lazy eye) and achieve normal visual development. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends surgery within the first few weeks of life for congenital cataracts affecting the visual axis. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is often done to correct refractive errors.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Delaying surgery may lead to irreversible amblyopia and vision loss, making it an incorrect choice.
**Option B:** Conservative management with glasses or contact lenses is not sufficient for a visual axis cataract, as it cannot restore vision and allow normal brain development.
**Option C:** Patching the healthy eye is a treatment for amblyopia, but it does not address the underlying cataract and is not a substitute for surgical removal.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that prompt surgical intervention for congenital cataracts is crucial for normal visual development, and delays can lead to permanent vision loss.
**Correct Answer: C. Patching the healthy eye is a treatment for amblyopia, but it does not address the underlying cataract and is not a substitute for surgical removal.**