Strabismus, Nystagmus Tied to Congenital Cataract and Cataract Surgery

Among children diagnosed with cataracts, strabismus and nystagmus are associated with undergoing cataract surgery and a cataract diagnosis at age 12 months or younger, according to research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective review of 66 million charts from 2003 to 2015 and identified 10,303 children younger than 13 years with a cataract diagnosis not related to trauma. Of these patients, 1636 children (844 girls, 792 boys) were enrolled continuously in their healthcare program for 5 years or more after their first cataract diagnosis, and 267 children underwent cataract surgery. 

Among the 1636 children diagnosed with cataracts, 434 (26.5%) and 109 (6.7%) were diagnosed with strabismus and nystagmus, respectively, the report shows. Both strabismus and nystagmus were more frequent in children who underwent cataract surgery (P <.001) and in those diagnosed with cataract at an age younger than 12 months (P <.001). 

“The presence of strabismus and/or nystagmus in these patients represents a significant problem because it constitutes an additional amblyopia-producing factor that negatively affects postoperative treatment,” according to the researchers. “Therefore, we recommend regular long-term follow-up in these children to monitor the development of strabismus and other ocular motor disorders.”

Study limitations include missing data, the potential for miscoding and the use of only 1 large national health insurance plan.