Pediatric Cataracts as a Presenting Sign of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Oliver D Valdivia Camacho; Tara Allison; Lorri B Wilson; Kellyn Bellsmith; Allison R Loh

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114806

Pediatric Cataracts as a Presenting Sign of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

J Pediatr. 2026 Jan:288:114806. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114806. Epub 2025 Sep 11.

Authors

Oliver D Valdivia Camacho¹, Tara Allison¹, Lorri B Wilson², Kellyn Bellsmith², Allison R Loh³

Affiliations

¹ Oregon Health & Science, University School of Medicine, Portland, OR.
² Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
³ Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR. Electronic address: loha@ohsu.edu.

PMID: 40945580
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114806

Abstract

We describe three children in whom bilateral cataracts preceded the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. This rare sequence of presentation highlights the need to consider diabetes screening in children with idiopathic cataracts, even in the absence of systemic symptoms.

Keywords: cataract; diabetes; pediatric cataract; pediatric ophthalmology; type 1 diabetes.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Cataract* / diagnosis
Cataract* / etiology
Child
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / complications
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Male