Visual results after removal of congenital cataracts before the age of 1 year.

Six patients underwent removal of congenital cataracts (Unilateral in three and bilateral in three) from otherwise normal eyes in the first year of life. Good corrected vision, including 6/9 in one of the unilateral cases, was obtained in each aphakic eye. A more aggressive approach to eliminating the sensory obstacles to seeing should include the removal of dressings 1 day after the operation, the use of soft, permanent-wear contact lenses within a few days thereafter and reduction of the time between the operations on bilateral cataracts to 5 days. In unilateral cases an occlusive patch must always be worn over the normal eye 90% of the waking day, even during illnesses.