newborn screening programme
Congenital cataracts
About two hundred children a year are born in the UK with opacity of the lens of one or both eyes - a cataract. Most children born with cataracts are otherwise healthy. Though in some cases a cataract is a sign of a syndrome. (such as Down's syndrome).
Read more about congenital cataracts on the NHS website.
UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in July 2006.
Screening for congenital cataract, other media opacities and anatomical abnormalities are part of the physical examination of newborn babies and again at 6-8 weeks.
A Programme Centre has been set up in England and all aspects of the examination are being reviewed.
Supporting documents from the 2006 review
Evidence summary congenital cataracts (2005)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.
Screening around the UK
The UK NSC recommends screening for this condition, however this may vary slightly depending on where you are in the UK.
Review cycle
Date previous review completed: 2006
Next review estimated to be completed: 2021 to 2022.
To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.
Organisations interested in Congenital cataracts
These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.
List of organisations
- British Association of Perinatal Medicine
- Faculty of Public Health
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Royal College of Midwives
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Royal College of Physicians
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.