A Family With Congenital Cataract From Grandfather Throughout Grandchildren

Abstract

Purpose: To report cataract cases along three generation in a large family. Introduce: Hereditary cataracts can be divided into two groups as congenital or developmental. Congenital cataracts can be seen with systemic diseases or as isolated in one third. Congenital cataract is still one of the most important treatable causes of blindness in childhood period. The proportion of blindness is 5-15/10 000 in developing countries and 1-4/10 000 in developed countries. The ratio of blindness related to cataract is 1-4/10 000 in developing versus 0,1-0,4/10 000 in developed countries. Case: A grandfather, his 10 children and five grandchildren were examined. Patients who have cataract were operated. All subjects were investigated in terms of systemic disases. Grandfather who was aphakic visited clinic for getting new glasses. Patient had operated in childhood period. He said that his two children were also operated in both eyes. We called other family members for ophthalmologic examination. We found posterior subcapsular cataract in four children and two grandchildren. None of these patients had systemic disases. conclusion: In cases of congenital or developmental cataracts, the relatives also must be examined and if needed intervention may be needed.