Hi @renm, welcome to Connect. This must be a bit worrisome for you. People usually associate cataracts with the older generation. But as this video by Dr. Erick D. Bothun, Mayo Clinic pediatric eye surgeon, explains: Yes, babies and children get cataracts, too:

– Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cataracts [Video] http://medprofvideos.mayoclinic.org/videos/yes-babies-and-children-get-cataracts-too-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-pediatric-cataracts

Dr. Bothun specializes in diagnosing, treating and researching complex cataracts in infants and children. He leverages his expertise and research experience in pediatric cataracts to tailor the surgical and clinical treatment for each child. To further maximize outcomes, Dr. Bothun enjoys educating families and engaging children throughout their Mayo Clinic eye care experience. I think you might find the 5 minute video useful and perhaps to help answer some of your questions.

How old is your grandson?

He is one month old on June 24. Surgery is advised ASAP.

Hi @renm, just wanted to check in. Has the decision been made to go ahead with surgery? Will he and his parents have to travel far to get to a specialist for the procedure?

They will be traveling 2 hr from home. July 10 is surgery

Surgery is scheduled July 10. They will go to Duke University which is 2 hr for them. They plan to move later on which takes them closer to Mayo, 6 hr.

Is there anyone else here who has deLt with congenital cataracts?

Are there more people here who have children with congenital cataracts?

Hello, @renm – we hope to bring in more members whose children have congenital cataracts, as this is an important discussion.

How did the surgery go for your grandson?

He did well and was just fitted for his first contact.

He is currently using a contact and patched his good eye.

Hi, @renm – How is he getting along with the patch? Is the rest of his development going okay?

He doesn’t like the patch. We think he gets frustrated a because he can’t see well with the affected eye. They don’t think he can see very far with it. It’s hard to know since he can’t say. He just turned 3 months. When he has the patch off he is generally pretty happy.

Poor little guy, @renm. That is tough that he appears frustrated with the patch, yet his doctor feels it is important for him. That is challenging with him being preverbal and unable to really communicate yet. How long will he have the patch?

How is it going with his contact?

Thank you for responding! The patch is to help make the affected eye stronger. So that is I defiantly. His contacts will change as he grows. They don’t use permanent lenses with babies so young as they would probably need more surgery.

Hi, @renm – did it sound likely from what your grandson's doctor said that he may need more surgery in the future?