Bilateral Congenital Cataract: Deprivation Amblyopia and its relation to development

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the impact of age at the time of bilateral congenital cataract (BCC) surgery, regarding changes in cognitive, language and motor development, considering the results of visual function. Methods: This is an ambispective descriptive longitudinal study of the evolution of visual acuity and development, using Teller Acuity Cards, Retinoscopy, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third edition. Eight patients with BCC were included to establish the general conditions of onset with longitudinal follow-up after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups, considering the age of treatment (early treatment < 6 months; late treatment > 6 months). We used non-parametric statistics with trend tests in the two groups, using a significance level of p < 0.05. A description of visual development was made through a qualitative analysis. Results: Refractive errors decreased progressively, with a statistically significant difference between both groups (p < 0.01). The cognitive area showed improved outcomes with a significant difference (p = 0.012) in the early treatment group. Conclusions: Late surgical treatment led to severe disturbances in the organization of visual function, as well as in observable behaviors of the motor, cognitive, and language areas, limiting a comprehensive and adequate development of children. It is necessary to implement strategies that include visual rehabilitation and early intervention for developmental disturbances.