[The management of cataract in childhood].

Congenital and juvenile cataracts are one of the leading causes of childhood blindness. About one out of 3000 children has or develops optically significant lens opacities that need surgery early in life. Up to the age of two years, the eyes remain aphacic and are corrected with contact lenses and bifocal glasses following surgery. Beyond the age of two years, IOL implanation is safe and sufficiently precise, but requires surgical measures to prevent secondary cataract. In congenital cases, surgery should be performed early enough to prevent amblyopia, but not too early in order to reduce the likelihood of secondary glaucoma. Hence, unilateral cataracts should be operated on in the sixth week of life, bilateral ones in the tenth week. Optimal interaction between surgeons, orthoptists and parents are prerequisites for good functional outcomes. This review covers the most important aspects of the timing of surgery, surgical techniques, visual outcomes, complications and postsurgical visual rehabilitation.