Pediatric Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery in an infant or child is a major eye operation that must performed in an operating room with the child under general anesthesia. The procedure can be performed at any age, even in babies just a few days old.

The length of the surgery depends on the procedure but is generally 1-2 hours. After infants and young children are asleep an IV line will be established. Anesthesia will be administered, the eyelids are gently opened, a small incision is made and the cloudy lens is then removed with a small hand held instrument. In some cases, an intraocular lens is then inserted. At the end of the surgery a patch and shield will be taped over the eye.

What to Tell Your Child About Surgery?
It is important to prepare your child for their surgery, generally a day or two before the procedure.

Consider telling a 2 or 3-year-old child that they will be going to a hospital/surgery center and Dr. Rovit will be fixing your eye. They will be asleep while their eye is being fixed, and that you will be with them when they wake up. Let them know that they will not be able to drink, eat breakfast or even brush their teeth the morning of their procedure.