Cataract surgery for child with pulmonary hypertension

Q: My 10 month old baby is suffering from pulmonary hypertension. She also has cataract in both her eyes. The question is with severe pulmonary hypertension can cataract surgery be done? Is pulmonary hypertension curable?

A:It is very important to sort out the cause of pulmonary hypertension (PAH) before we even consider treatment for the cataract. There are no reports mentioning whether a workup has been done to determine the cause of PAH. In the majority this would be related to some form of congenital heart defect, in which case if the cause is treated the PAH is cured provided it is done early in life. I am afraid that you are getting late already and something needs to be done early because untreated PAH carries a very bad prognosis.