MyNemours Sign-InOn our eyes, we have a natural, clear lens. This lens bends the light that comes in through our eyes to help us see. If that lens gets cloudy, it's called a “cataract.” You may think of cataracts as something that only affects adults. But kids can have cataracts too. They’re called “congenital cataracts” when children are born with them. At Nemours, our pediatric ophthalmologists (kids’ eye experts) can identify congenital cataracts early — sometimes even while your baby is still in the womb.
Cataracts
Experts in Cataract Surgery for Kids
Services We Offer for Cataracts
Children with cataracts will need an operation to help their eyes see better again. Cataract surgery in children (and adults) is very common.
After cataract surgery, your child’s care team will work to restore and improve your child’s eye focus. That might include using special lenses placed on the eyes during the surgery, or contact lenses and glasses designed specifically to help focus light rays and correct children’s vision. Kids who have had cataract surgery may also need to wear an eye patch. Whatever treatment your child needs, we’ll make sure they’re comfortable and you understand what’s happening every step of the way.
Why Choose Us for Cataract Surgery
Nemours pediatric ophthalmologists are board-certified and fellowship-trained at nationally recognized institutions. We provide the highest level of surgical and medical care for kids with common and complex eye problems. Many on our team are recognized in “Best Doctors in America® ” and local magazines as “Top Doctors” in the region. We’re also researchers looking for new, better ways to detect and treat conditions like pediatric cataracts — whether they’re present at birth or develop during childhood.
Regional Congenital Cataracts Care Highlights
Services, programs and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.
We offer full-service cataract surgery and care for kids at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Del.) and select satellite Nemours duPont Pediatrics locations.
- consults after birth for newborns with eye conditions like cataracts
- medical and surgical services provided by fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologists who place your child and family at the center of care
- special sensitivity to the challenges and anxiety of kids with developmental or neurodevelopmental conditions (like autism) may have during eye exams
- perinatal services (diagnosing conditions like cataracts in the womb before birth and working with parents to come up with a plan of care, if needed, for after delivery)
- part of a multicenter collaborative network, Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, working with hundreds of pediatric eye care experts nationwide to research eye disorders
We offer full-service cataract surgery and care for kids at Nemours Children’s Hospital (Orlando) and satellite Nemours Children’s Specialty Care locations.
- ophthalmologist and certified orthoptist (eye movement and diagnostic specialist) trained and equipped to diagnose and treat vision problems in children, including those with developmental disabilities and physical limitations
- Child Life specialist who can provide play and creative therapies and distraction during exams and treatments
- maternal-fetal medicine services (to diagnose conditions like cataracts before birth and work with parents to come up with a plan of care, if needed, for after delivery)
- academic ties with the University of Florida and University of Central Florida colleges of medicine
We offer full-service cataract surgery and care for kids at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville (working with Wolfson Children’s Hospital) and select Nemours Children's Specialty Care satellite locations.
- ophthalmologists, pediatric optometrist and experienced eye technicians delivering complete eye care for kids
- pediatric optometry room for contact lens fittings where we teach kids how to use and take care of their contacts
- families referred from throughout the Jacksonville area and beyond (like Daytona Beach, Tallahassee, South Georgia)
- part of a multicenter collaborative network, Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, working with hundreds of pediatric eye care experts nationwide to research eye disorders
- special training program developed by our pediatric eye experts to teach primary care doctors how to conduct effective pediatric eye exams for children from birth to age 5
Research & Clinical Trials
At Nemours, we’re actively researching new approaches for childhood disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
KidsHealth Library
Learn more about your child’s medical condition from the experts at Nemours’ KidsHealth.