Research

Research that supports the care of children with cataracts can be difficult to identify and assess.
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Research findings can disagree on things like: the incidence of childhood cataract in Australia; the optimal timing for cataract removal and IOL implantation; and the likelihood of complications such as glaucoma occurring after cataract removal surgery.  

Some useful research papers

• De Lima S, et al; 'Swedish parents' experiences and their need for support when having a child with congenital cataract: a qualitative study' Journal of Pediatric Nursing 2021. 
• Bothun ED, Wilson ME, Traboulsi EI, et al; Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Study Group (TAPS). Outcomes of Unilateral Cataracts in Infants and Toddlers 7 to 24 Months of Age: Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Study (TAPS). Ophthalmology. 2019 Aug;126(8):1189-1195. 
• Writing Committee for the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). Visual Acuity and Ophthalmic Outcomes in the Year After Cataract Surgery Among Children Younger Than 13 Years. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019;137(7):817–824. 
• Solebo AL, Cumberland P, Rahi JS, 5-year outcomes after primary intraocular lens implantation in children aged 2 years or younger with congenital or infantile cataract: findings from the IoLunder2 prospective inception cohort study.  Lancet Child and Adolescent Health 2018; 30 Oct. 
• Hamm L, Chen Z, et al, Contrast‐balanced binocular treatment in children with deprivation amblyopia.  Clin and Exp Optom 2018; 101(4): 541-52.
• Matalia J, Shirke S, Shetty KB, Matalia H, Surgical outcome of congenital cataract in eyes with microcornea. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2018; 55(1): 30-36.
• ​Pham C, Sheth SJ, Keeffe JE, Carden SM, New trends in childhood vision impairment in a developed country. Journal of AAPOS 2017; 21(6): 496-8.
• Deloitte Access Economics report on the socioeconomic impact of low vision and blindness from paediatric eye disease in Australia (2016).
• Ma AS, Grigg JR, Ho G, et al.  Sporadic and familial congenital cataracts: mutational spectrum and new diagnoses using next-generation sequencing.  Hum Mutat. 2016 Apr;37(4):371-84.
• Crofts S, Geering K, 'The development of aphakic glaucoma following lensectomy in congenital cataract in a NSW children's hospital.' Aust. Orthoptic Journal 2014 (46): 5-8.
• Murphy P, O'Connor MD, 'Stem cells and the ocular lens: implications for cataract research and therapy', in Regenerative Biology of the Eye (Jan 2014): 177-201. 
• Carden SM, Mathew AA, Good WV. Caught between a rock and a hard place: what is the optimal timing for infantile cataract surgery? Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2013; 41: 633-34.
• Ruddle JB, Staffieri SE, Crowston JG, et al. Incidence and predictors of glaucoma following surgery for congenital cataract in the first year of life in Victoria, Australia. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2013;41:653-61
• Dave A, Laurie K, Staffieri SE, et al. Mutations in the EPHA2 Gene are a major contributor to inherited cataracts in South-Eastern Australia. PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e72518.
• Lindsay R, Chi J, Contact lens management of infantile aphakia. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2010; 93(1): 3-14.
• Sendelbeck S, Brennan L, The specialised orthoptic role in management of contact lens use in infants. Aust Orthoptic Journal 2008 (42): 16-20. 
• Wirth MG, Russell-Eggitt IM, Craig JE, et al.  Aetiology of congenital and paediatric cataract in an Australian population. British Journal of Ophthalmology 2002;86(7):782-6.

Relevant research projects and organisations
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• Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register
• Centre of Research Excellence in Translation of Genetic Eye Research (contact Sandra Staffieri)
• Cochrane Eyes and Vision ​
• The Centre for Eye Research Australia
• Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group
• Stem cell research at Western Sydney University (Dr. Michael O'Connor) - also mentioned by Stem Cells Australia
• VI Family Network

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Events

Events relevant to researchers as well as clinicians and families are listed here.  Please let us know about forthcoming events we can list. 

Setting new research priorities

Cataract Kids Australia is an advocate for high-quality research on cataracts in children, focusing on topics that families, clinicians and researchers identify as important.  Please tell us about your research priorities - Contact us.