Visual acuities in infants with congenital cataracts operated on prior to 6 months of age.

Seven infants with complete bilateral cataracts were operated on and fitted with extended-wear silicone contact lenses. The infants were matched to 16 normal control subjects. A modified preferential looking technique was used to assess visual acuity; the Bayley Scale of infant Development was administered to measure psychological development. Of the seven infants with cataracts, those operated on prior to 8 weeks of age seemed to have normally developing vision. All others showed a substantial visual lag when compared with the control group. Bayley scores for infants operated on early (before 8 weeks) fell within the range of normal variability. The infants operated on later demonstrated a statistically significant lag in development. Also, a pendular nystagmus was noted in those infants with cataracts who were operated on later.