CONGENITAL CATARACT Meaning and
Definition
-
Congenital cataract is a medical condition that refers to the presence of cloudiness or opacity in the lens of the eye, which is present at birth or develops shortly after. It is a type of cataract that occurs during fetal development or is inherited genetically. The lens of the eye is responsible for focusing the light onto the retina, allowing for clear vision. When a person is affected by congenital cataract, the clouding of the lens obstructs the passage of light, resulting in vision impairment or blindness.
Congenital cataracts can be unilateral, affecting only one eye, or bilateral, affecting both eyes. They can vary in size, density, and location, and may differ in severity among individuals affected. The condition can have different causes, including genetic mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, metabolic disorders, infections, or exposure to certain medications or environmental factors during pregnancy.
The symptoms of congenital cataract include blurred or hazy vision, sensitivity to light, strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes), nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), or a white pupil (leukocoria), typically noticeable when light shines into the affected eye.
Treatment for congenital cataract primarily involves surgical removal of the cloudy lens, followed by replacement with an artificial lens implant or contact lens. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent vision loss and maintain visual development, making early screening and regular eye examinations essential for infants and children.
In summary, congenital cataract is a condition characterized by lens clouding that is present at birth or develops shortly after, leading to vision impairment or loss. It requires timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment to optimize visual outcomes.
Common Misspellings for CONGENITAL CATARACT
- xongenital cataract
- vongenital cataract
- fongenital cataract
- dongenital cataract
- cingenital cataract
- ckngenital cataract
- clngenital cataract
- cpngenital cataract
- c0ngenital cataract
- c9ngenital cataract
- cobgenital cataract
- comgenital cataract
- cojgenital cataract
- cohgenital cataract
- confenital cataract
- convenital cataract
- conbenital cataract
- conhenital cataract
- conyenital cataract
- contenital cataract
Etymology of CONGENITAL CATARACT
The word "congenital" comes from the Latin word "congenitus", which means "born with" or "inborn". It is derived from the prefix "con-" meaning "together" and the verb "genitus" meaning "born".
The word "cataract" is derived from the Latin word "catarractes", which originally referred to a large waterfall or something rushing down rapidly. This metaphorical usage eventually came to describe the opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye and was used to describe the condition known as cataract.
Therefore, the term "congenital cataract" combines the Latin terms "congenitus" and "catarractes" to describe an eye condition in which there is an inherent opaqueness or cloudiness in the lens of the eye from birth.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
