Spontaneous Reduction and Absorption of Cataracts in Childhood

Overview

Theauthors giveanaccountonspontaneousreductionandabsorption of cataractsin nine children. The initial symptom where leukocoria predominated was asa rule detected already in infant age. In one case the affection was bilateral andwas manifested by partial pseudoaphakia. The observation comprised also classicalsecondary aphakia in a 4-year-old girl. Resorption of lenticular masses ofcataracts into the shape of membranous discs or reduced masses of a fibrouscharacter tookonaverage 18monthsonseveneyesandthisprocesswasassociatedwith vascular activity in four lenses. In two of these patients during resorptionpanuveitis was observed with a hyperergic response in humoral and cellularimmunity without obvious general antigenic action which caused atrophy of theoptic nerve. Surgical solution of cataract was used in four eyes, PC IOL wasimplantated in one patient which had a favourable effect on visual function.Histological examination was successful of the extracted reduced lens only in onecase. Inside the lenticular capsulewasamixture of the original fibrotically alteredcataract masses with ingrowing vascular tissue.

Key words:
lens, childhood, cataract, spontaneous absorption, spontaneous reduction,uveitis