Researchers solve visi...( that develops in the natural lens of t...)

that develops in the natural lens of the eye," explains HSC staff ophthalmologist Dr. Alex Levin, assistant professor of Paediatrics, Genetics and Ophthalmology at the University of Toronto and co-director of the HSC Eye Genetics team, who performed the surgery on the babies. "When the cataracts are dense it's like looking through waxed paper, or worse: light can be perceived but not definite shapes. To remove the cataract, we must remove the entire lens of the eye which leaves the eye with no means to focus the light that can now enter. The contact lenses, which are very strong, take the place of the natural lens."

The treatment implications of this study are critically important for the approximately one in 1,000 to 4,000 babies born with cataracts. If surgery is done too late then the brain may not learn to use the vision in that eye. With successful early intervention, even in the first week of life if possible, some children can develop vision as good as 20/20 and go on to lead relatively normal lives.

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Contact: Liz Leake
liz.leake@sickkids.on.ca
416-813-5046
The Hospital for Sick Children
1-Oct-1999

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