This PedsCases Note provides a one-page infographic on Pediatric Cataracts. This is a clouding of the lens at birth (congenital) or developing in childhood (developmental). It was created by Meghan Lee and Palak Sharma (Medical Students, University of Calgary) with the help of Dr. Stephanie Dotchin (Pediatric Ophthalmologist, University of Calgary).

Click on the image below for the full-screen PDF handout.

Related Content

• Podcast: Approach to Structural Eye Anomalies

• Podcast: The Pediatric Eye Exam in Primary Care

• Podcast: Approach to Leukocoria (Audio)

References

1. Medsinge A, Nischal KK. Pediatric cataract: challenges and future directions. Clin Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan 7;9:77-90. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S59009. PMID: 25609909; PMCID: PMC4293928.

2. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Procedures for the evaluation of the visual system by pediatricians [Internet]. San Francisco (CA): American Academy of Ophthalmology; c2016 [cited 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://www.aao.org/education/clinical-statement/procedures-evaluation-of-visual-system-by-pediatri AAO

3. Donahue SP, Baker CN. Visual system assessment in infants, children, and young adults by pediatricians. Pediatr Rev. 2011;32(2):82–9. doi:10.1542/pir.32-2-82.

4. Sitati S. Recognising and managing bilateral cataracts in children. Community Eye Health J. 2024;36(121):15–17. doi:10.56920/cehj.777. Community Eye Health Journal

5. Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, editors. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Elsevier; 2023 [cited 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://jasu.kg/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Nelson-essentials-of-pediatrics.pdf

6. Shafiq A. Seeing red in young children: the importance of the red reflex. Ayad Shafiq. Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(633):209-210. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp15X684625

7. Bowman RJC. Cataract in Children. [Internet] 2024. [cited 2026 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/communityeyehealth/53471457586/