Q: My daughter has dense bilateral congenital cataracts with Down's syndrome and cyanotic heart disease. The heart disease problem is very complex and due to Down's syndrome, cardiac surgery is not advised. Her life span is limited to 1-3 years. We have decided to go for cataract surgery. Normally IOL is put 2 years after the lensectomy. Since my daughter's life is limited, can IOL be implanted at the same time of lensectomy?

A:IOL implantation in a child less than one year old may not be safe for the eyes. These children can see very well with extended wear contact lens and aphakic spectacles made with high index lenses.