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2005 Gregg Lecture: Congenital cataract – from rubella to genetics
Author(s) -
Mackey David A
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2006.01194.x
Subject(s) - medicine , measles , rubella , pediatrics , congenital rubella , optometry , virology , vaccination
A bstract On the 65th anniversary of Gregg's observation ‘Congenital cataract following German measles in the mother’, rubella has retired as the leading cause of congenital cataract, from 87% of Gregg's cohort to less than 3% over the last 25 years and almost zero now in Australia and other developed countries. However, people must keep vigilance in maintaining immunization rates and encourage immunization in developing countries. At least one‐fifth of congenital cataract is familial. Understanding the genetics of familial cataract will lead to better treatment of congenital as well as age‐related cataract.