New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS): Cataract, a common disease in the elderly, might also strike children and require a far more complicated treatment, said doctors Wednesday.

"A malformed lens in a developing foetus is the cause of cataract in infants. It is relatively rare, but I receive about 10 to 15 cases a year," said Sanjay Dhawan, director ophthalmology at the Fortis Hospital.

According to doctors, it was very important to detect paediatric cataract at an early stage, as the retinal image becomes so distorted that a permanent loss of vision might occur without early treatment.

Dhawan said: "Children with cataract might eventually need eye muscle surgery for crossed eyes. In cases of congenital cataract, we do not expect the baby to have 100 percent vision, they have to be satisfied with 70 to 80 percent vision."

However, cataract surgery in children was not very painful, said the doctor.

"As a precautionary measure, parents must get neonatal eye examination of their children done," adds Dhawan.