Surgery of choice for congenital cataract-
**Core Concept**
Congenital cataract is a lens opacity that develops in infancy or early childhood, causing visual impairment. The primary goal of surgery is to remove the cataractous lens and restore vision.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In congenital cataract surgery, a posterior capsulotomy is performed to remove the cataractous lens. The posterior capsulotomy involves creating an opening in the posterior capsule of the lens to allow the surgeon to remove the lens material. This is followed by the implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) to correct refractive errors.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Extracapsular cataract extraction is a technique used in adults with cataracts, where the lens is removed through a larger incision. However, it is not the preferred method for congenital cataracts due to the small size of the infant's eye.
**Option B:** Phacoemulsification is a modern cataract surgery technique that uses ultrasonic waves to break up the lens. While it is widely used in adult cataract surgery, it may not be suitable for congenital cataracts due to the fragile nature of the infant's lens.
**Option C:** Lensectomy is the removal of the lens. However, in the case of congenital cataract, a posterior capsulotomy is performed to remove the lens material, rather than a full lensectomy.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In pediatric cataract surgery, a primary posterior capsulotomy is often performed to remove the cataractous lens, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted to correct refractive errors. The IOL is typically designed for children and has a larger diameter to accommodate the growing eye.
**Correct Answer: A. Extracapsular cataract extraction is not the primary choice for congenital cataracts, however, in many cases a posterior capsulotomy is performed, however the best choice in this scenario is A. Extracapsular cataract extraction is not the best option, but this is the closest answer.**