Results of Bilateral Cataract Extraction with Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Implantation in Children

• Published in: Ophthalmology (Rochester, Minn.) Vol. 104; no. 11; pp. 1737 - 1743
• Main Authors: Gimbel, Howard V., Basti, Surendra, Ferensowicz, Maria, DeBroff, Brian M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.11.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Cataract Extraction; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Lenses, Intraocular; Male; Medical sciences; Postoperative Complications; Refraction, Ocular; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity - physiology; Human; Postoperative; Cataract; Treatment efficiency; Visual acuity; Bilateral; Implantation; Eye disease; Lens disease; Treatment; Surgery; Complication; Evolution; Extraction; Posterior chamber; Intraocular lens; Child; Anterior segment disease; Ocular refraction; Intraocular pressure
• ISSN: 0161-6420; 1549-4713
• DOI: 10.1016/S0161-6420(97)30033-5

Objective: A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate long-term anatomic and visual outcomes in eyes of children who underwent bilateral intraocular lens implantation. Design: The study design was a review of medical records of 24 children operated on for bilateral cataracts and posterior chamber-intraocular lenses. Participants: Twenty-four children operated on for bilateral cataracts by 1 surgeon between February 1980 and February 1995 were studied. Intervention: Cataract extraction with bilateral posterior chamber-intraocular lens implantation was performed. Main Outcome Measures: Best-corrected visual acuity, visual acuity without correction, intraocular pressure, manifest refraction, and any intraoperative or postoperative complications were measured. Results: At last follow-up (mean follow-up, 50.8 months; range, 10–149 months), the intraocular lens was in good position and the intraocular pressure was normal without medication in all eyes. Four years after surgery, 79.2% (19 of 24) of first eyes achieved a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better compared to 66.7% (16 of 24) of second eyes. No eye had any loss in best-corrected visual acuity. In first eyes of 3- to 8-year olds at the time of surgery, 73.3% (11 of 15) achieved a spherical equivalent within 2 diopters of the intended at 4 years after surgery compared to 80% of second eyes. In the 9- to 18-year-old group, 88.9% (8 of 9) of first eyes and 100% of second eyes achieved a spherical equivalent within 2 diopters of the intended at 4 years after surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were minimal. Conclusions: Long-term anatomic and visual results have been gratifying in this series of patients with bilateral implants.