A blood test can help treat children with congenital cataracts, reports BBC News / Health.
Every year in the UK about 200 babies are born with cataracts. While the diagnosis of cataracts based on lens opacities is fairly obvious, it may be due to one of 100 different mutations, making it difficult to make a precise diagnosis. In the case of a child with no family history of cataracts, the diagnosis may take up to several years, because each of the possible causes is diagnosed separately.
The sooner the underlying cause of the cataract is clarified, the more effectively it can be treated. Parents should also be informed of the risks of other children. Finally, cataracts may be just one symptom of a more serious genetic disease.
The test, which detects all known DNA mutations associated with congenital cataracts in one go, was developed by specialists from Manchester University and the Central Manchester Health Care Trust (UK). The creators hope that the method will make it easier to diagnose and more efficiently decide on treatment.
Hospitals in Manchester will be offering a new test from December. (PAP)