Cataract in children.

UNLABELLED: Of the estimated 1.4 million children world-wide who are blind, cataract is responsible for an estimated 190,000 (14%). The incidence varies from 1 to 3/10,000 live births or 10 per million of the total population in low-income countries. Early diagnosis, referral and surgery are important in improving results. A recent study from Sweden indicates that examination of babies in maternity wards results in earlier referral compared with well-baby clinics or no formal screening. CONCLUSION: It is important that standardized protocols be developed and implemented to screen children for ocular anomalies, especially cataract, before discharge from maternity units.