[Pediatric cataract-part 2 : Surgical treatment].

Pediatric cataract surgery is very different from adult cataract surgery. A profound understanding of surgical technique, age at time of surgery, combined ocular and systemic diseases to be associated with long-term functional or morphological outcomes is important for planning and performing treatment of cataracts in children. Increased intra- and postoperative risk and individual amblyogenic risk mainly affect surgical versus nonsurgical treatment decisions. The most common long-term complication in children following congenital cataract surgery is aphakic glaucoma. It is well established that the single greatest risk factor for aphakic glaucoma is surgery during early infancy. Other risk factors include microphthalmos, fetal nuclear cataract, and persistent fetal vasculature. The following article provides an overview on important aspects of pediatric cataract treatment.