RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The number of blind children in the world is approximately 1.5 million, a large proportion of which is attributable to congenital cataracts. Our goal is to describe the epidemiological, etiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of childhood cataracts at the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital (YGOPH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, descriptive study of cataracts diagnosed in children under 16 years of age from January 2010 to December 2017. Variables analyzed were age, sex, reason for consultation, laterality and duration of symptoms, type of cataract and treatment administered. RESULTS: We collected 82 patient records. The sex ratio was 1.56. The most frequent age group was 0-4 years at 42.5% (34), and the mean age was 6.6 years (1 day-15 years). The main reasons for consultation were decreased visual acuity in 46.3% (37) and leukocoria in 37.5% (30). Cataracts were unilateral in 72% (59) of the cases. The most common onset of the cataracts was congenital (40.8%) (31), and traumatic cataracts accounted for 27.6% (21). Mature white cataracts accounted for 39% (32), predominantly congenital etiologies in 41.5% (34). Cataract surgery was performed in 33 eyes. Small incision cataract surgery was the most common technique at 51.5% (17). CONCLUSION: Pediatric cataracts are relatively rare. Identification of risk factors may help decrease their incidence.