Eye growth after pediatric cataract surgery

Comparison of the axial growth with multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses in unilateral pediatric cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To compare axial growth in pediatric cataract patients who underwent multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation without anterior vitrectomy (AV) with that in pediatric patients who underwent monofocal IOL implantation with or without AV.

METHODS

Patients who had unilateral pediatric cataracts and underwent surgery at 3-6 years of age from June 6, 2019, to June 30, 2020, at our institution were prospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into Group A: multifocal IOL implantation with optic capture in Berger's space without AV; Group B: monofocal IOL implantation with optic capture in Berger's space without AV; and Group C: bag-in-the-lens monofocal IOL implantation with AV. Groups A', B' and C' consisted of the fellow eyes from the respective groups. Axial growth and monthly growth rates were compared among the 3 treatment groups, as well as between the treated eyes and the fellow eyes.

RESULTS

Thirty-one, 23, and 14 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria, respectively, were included in the final analysis. There were no significant differences in patient age at the time of surgery or preoperative axial length (P > 0.05). After a mean follow-up of 35.57 ± 3.78 months, significant differences in the axial growth and the monthly growth rate were observed (P < 0.05), and Group A had the least axial elongation. Comparing treated eyes with fellow eyes, the amount and rate of axial growth were lower in Group A than in Group A' (P < 0.05), no significant differences were found in Group B (P > 0.05), and Group C had greater growth than did Group C' (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The implanting multifocal intraocular lenses and maintenance of vitreous body integrity may be protective factors against excessive axial growth in pediatric cataract patients. Clinical trial registration (prospective study): chiCRT1900023155; 2019-05-14.

Factors associated with progressive anisometropia after bilateral intraocular lens implantation in patients with pediatric cataract

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with progressive anisometropia after bilateral intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with pediatric cataract.

METHODS

Clinical and standardized questionnaire data were collected for Sixty-eight patients with pediatric cataract (136 eyes) who underwent bilateral IOL implantation and at least 1 year of follow-up. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with postoperative anisometropia.

RESULTS

The median age at IOL implantation was 3.2 years (range: 1-12.4 years), and median follow-up time was 5.7 years (range: 1.1-14 years). At 1 month postoperatively and at the last follow-up, there were 19 (27%) and 31 (46%) cases of anisometropia ≥1 D, 9 (13%) and 15 (22%) cases of anisometropia ≥2 D, and 2 (3%) and 9 (13%) cases of anisometropia ≥3 D, respectively. Compared with 1 month postoperatively, the amount of anisometropia increased in 45 (67%) patients. Greater anisometropia one year or more after bilateral IOL implantation was associated with larger intereye difference in IOL power (P = 0.032, 95%CI 0.013 to 0.285), intereye difference in preoperative axial length (P = 0.018, 95%CI -1.247 to -0.123), presence of strabismus (P = 0.017, 95%CI 0.063-0.601), anisometropia at 1 month postoperatively (P = 0.001, 95%CI 0.126-0.478), and intereye difference in axial length at the last follow-up (P = 0.047, 95%CI 0.005-0.627).

CONCLUSION

Anisometropia might progress after bilateral IOL implantation in patients with pediatric cataract. Greater intereye difference in IOL power, presence of strabismus might increase the potential of progressive anisometropia.

Validation of Guidelines for Undercorrection of Intraocular Lens Power in Children

PURPOSE

Initial undercorrection of intraocular lens (IOL power) is a common practice in children undergoing pediatric cataract surgery. However, the long-term refractive status of these children is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to analyze the long-term refractive status of these children.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

METHODS

We analyzed records of children (<7 years of age) who underwent cataract surgery with a primary IOL implantation and had completed follow-up to ≥7 years of age. Data were collected regarding demographics, etiology of cataract, method of undercorrection, and serial follow-up refractions. Prediction error was defined as refractive error minus emmetropia. The main outcome measure was prediction error at 7 years of age.

RESULTS

Eighty-four eyes of 56 children (28 unilateral and 28 bilateral cases) met the study criteria. The median age at surgery was 3.3 years (interquartile range 2.7-5 years), and the median follow-up period was 3.75 years. At 7 years of age, the median absolute prediction was 1.5 diopters (interquartile range 0.75-2 diopters). Seven of 84 (8.3%) children achieved emmetropia while an equal proportion were myopic (45%) or hypermetropic (46%). Prediction error (adjusted for using both eyes) at 7 years of age was not significantly different in any group (P > .05). Maximum myopic shift was observed in children <2 years of age. Age at surgery was the only significant factor that influenced prediction error (â = -0.32; P = .001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that children undercorrected using guidelines suggested by Enyedi and associates may achieve an acceptable refractive error at 7 years of age. However, in children <2 years of age, more hypermetropia may be observed. More studies are needed to validate various methods of undercorrection and compare with other guidelines.

Current Status of IOL implantation in pediatric eyes: an update

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric cataracts are a huge problem worldwide, and with improving techniques and technology, the surgical treatment and postoperative visual rehabilitation are improving. Despite intraocular lenses(IOLs) being the standard of care for adult cataract surgery, this issue is still somewhat controversial, particularly in young children and infants due to lack of unequivocal evidence. This review therefore summarises the findings from recent studies on the aspect of IOL implantation in pediatric eyes. Areas covered: An extensive literature search was undertaken for published articles on congenital/developmental pediatric cataracts, and IOL implantation, where literature pertinent to traumatic and subluxated cataracts was not included in the review. Pubmed was used for literature search, and keywords entered were : pediatric, cataract surgery, intraocular lens, persistent fetal vasculature, outcomes, complications, visual performance with intraocular lenses. Expert commentary: Recent literature supports IOL implantation in most cases of congenital / developmental pediatric cataracts, and it seems like the way forward. However, the jury is still out on IOL implantation in infants, particularly in bilateral cataracts. Thus, surgeons must be extremely cautious in planning primary IOL implantation in infant eyes, and if they do perform IOL implantation, rigorous followup is mandatory.

Ocular axial growth in pseudophakic eyes of patients operated for monocular infantile cataract: a comparison of operated and fellow eyes measured at surgery and 5 or more years later

PURPOSE

To report the change in axial length (AL) over time and to compare the percentage of AL growth of pseudophakic eyes operated on for monocular cataract to that of the unoperated fellow eyes.

METHODS

The medical records of children operated on by a single surgeon for monocular congenital cataract before 7 months of age were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were corneal diameter of ≥9 mm and availability of AL data for >5 years' follow-up after cataract surgery and >1 year after IOL implantation (in case of secondary IOL). Cataract with persistent fetal vasculature causing stretching of the ciliary processes, diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, and eyes with aphakia were excluded. Globe AL was measured by immersion ultrasound at surgery and 5 or more years later.

RESULTS

A total of 24 children were identified. Average age at cataract surgery was 2.6 ± 2.1 months. Age at last follow-up was 8.4 ± 2.8 years and duration of follow-up was 8.2 ± 2.8 years. 13 eyes received a primary IOL and 11 eyes received a secondary IOL. AL was significantly different between operative and fellow eyes, preoperatively (18.1 mm vs 18.7 mm, P = 0.004), and at the final follow-up (22.2 mm vs 23.0 mm, P = 0.03). Differences in AL growth of operated and fellow eyes were not significant (4.1 mm vs 4.4 mm, P = 0.4). Similarly, percentage of AL growth of operated and fellow eyes was also not significantly different (23% vs 23.6%, P = 0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes operated for monocular cataract have similar axial growth to that of fellow unoperated eyes, despite having a shorter AL at the time of surgery.

Human parallels to experimental myopia? A literature review on visual deprivation

Raviola and Wiesel's monkey eyelid suture studies of the 1970s laid the cornerstone for the experimental myopia science undertaken since then. The aim has been to clarify the basic humoral and neuronal mechanisms behind induced myopization, its eye tissue transmitters in particular. Besides acquiring new and basic knowledge, the practical object of the research is to reduce the burden of human myopia around the world. Acquisition and cost of optical correction is one issue, but associated morbidity counts more, with its global load of myopia-associated visual loss and blindness. The object of the present PubMed literature-based review is to evaluate apparent similarities between experience from disturbed imaging in experimental laboratory science and varieties within the spectrum of childhood human myopia. So far, the main impression is that macroscopical optical deprivation appears absent in the prevalent types of human myopia, nor is myopia a regular sequel where early eye pathology has led to poor imaging and optical deprivation. Optical aberrations of a higher order are a relatively new issue in myopia research, and microstructural deprivation is only marginally dealt within the survey. Links between experimental and human myopia appear mainly occasional, and with only few examples in humans where factual parallels appear credible. Clinical and epidemiological data on refraction remain important, in particular with a view to life style and environmental factors. Such knowledge may further serve as inspiration to the laboratory research, which aims at solving the basic enigmas on a tissue level.

[Management of infantile cataracts: surgical technics and choices in lens implantation]

Management of congenital or infantile cataracts benefited from progresses realized in adult surgery. It stays however specific to children's eyes and is incorporated in a global therapeutic strategy. It must be guided by a pediatric ophthalmogical team used to this kind of treatment. We report here, function of the type of cataract, uni or bilateral, congenital or infantile, the choice of the timing of surgery, of the therapeutic strategy, parental information, and preoperative evaluation. The actual standard of surgery is bimanual phacoaspiration with posterior capsulorhexis and anterior vitrectomy. It is described step by step. Indication of lens implantation, choice of the type and power of IOL function of age of the child is described, be it for initial or secondary lens implantation.

Changes in interocular axial length after pediatric cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To explore the hypothesis that preoperative interocular axial length difference changes after pediatric cataract intraocular lens implantation surgery to meet the measurement of the fellow eye.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review. Eyes with traumatic and secondary cataract, lens subluxation, or postoperative glaucoma were excluded. In bilateral cataract cases, only right eye data were included. In addition, eyes were included only if axial length data for both eyes were available before surgery and at follow-up equal to or greater than the age at surgery.

RESULTS

Forty-seven eyes fit the inclusion criteria. Average age at surgery and follow-up was 2.2 +/- 2.2 and 5.6 +/- 2.9 years, respectively. Three groups were formed based on the preoperative interocular axial length difference: < -0.2, group 1; >or= -0.2, and <or=0.2, group 2; >0.2, group 3. Average age at surgery between these three groups was not significantly different (p = 0.82), nor was age at follow-up between the groups (p = 0.66). The change in interocular axial length difference (postoperative interocular axial length difference minus preoperative interocular axial length difference) was significant between the three groups (0.3, 0.2, -0.4 mm, respectively; p = 0.02). The average rate of axial length growth was significantly different between three groups (3.7, 2.4, 2.5 mm, respectively; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes with a shorter axial length than the fellow eye showed postoperative rate of axial growth that exceeded the growth rate of eyes with a longer interocular axial length. These growth rates resulted in a postoperative trend of intraocular axial length difference toward zero.

Cataractes congénitales unilatérales opérées précocement : devenir réfractif à long terme

PURPOSE

Predict long-term refractive changes after primary lens implantation for unilateral congenital cataract in order to know the intraocular lens power to use to obtain best functional results.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 53 children with unilateral congenital cataract operated on with primary intraocular lens implantation, with a mean follow-up of 6.8 years. The mean age at surgery was 2.98 years.

RESULTS

The mean myopic shift per year was -0.83 D/year. Children operated on before the age of 2 years had a mean myopic shift of -9.15 D, and others presented -2.13 D. The variability of myopic shift decreased with age. The mean visual acuity was +0.25 logMAR. Four intraocular lenses were changed because of substantial anisometropia.

CONCLUSION

Early surgery with primary implantation and intensive amblyopia treatment provide good long-term visual results. Long-term refractive changes of very young children operated on for unilateral congenital cataract is extremely variable. Changing the intraocular lens is conceivable when substantial anisometropia slows down amblyopia rehabilitation.

Long term results of primary posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation for congenital cataract in the first year of life

AIM

To document the long term outcome of congenital cataract surgery with primary posterior chamber (PC) lens implantation in the first year of life.

METHOD

A retrospective review of congenital cataract surgery in the first year of life with PC lens implantation in 18 infants, eight with unilateral and 10 with bilateral cataract. The average age at surgery was 15 weeks (range 3-44 weeks). The mean follow up was 95 months (range 60-139 months).

RESULTS

The best outcomes were in the bilateral group where 50% of eyes achieved 6/18 or better, with a best acuity of 6/9. Acuities were poor in the unilateral group where only 38% achieved 6/60 or better, with a best acuity of 6/24. There was a mean refractive shift between first refraction after surgery and refraction at 36 months after surgery of -3.44 dioptres with a very wide range (+2.00 to -15.50). There was a significantly greater myopic shift in the unilateral cases. Many eyes in both groups continued to show an increasing myopic shift between 36 months after surgery and their final recorded refraction. The main complications were amblyopia, especially in unilateral cataracts, and posterior capsular opacification. Amblyopia was most probably related to a combination of early onset of dense cataract in this young age group, late presentation for initial surgery, delay in capsulotomies, and imperfect compliance with a rigorous occlusion regime.

CONCLUSION

Intraocular lens implantation in infants less than 1 year of age is generally a safe procedure. The spread of final refractive error was very wide. Final refraction in the unilateral group was significantly more myopic than the bilateral group. Final acuities were often disappointing especially in the unilateral group.

New techniques and technologies for pediatric cataract surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper surveys the literature from April 2004 to April 2005 and addresses trends in pediatric cataract surgery techniques.

RECENT FINDINGS

The evolution of pediatric cataract surgery continues, with many adult cataract surgical techniques being applied to children with minor technical adjustments. More and more, surgeons are implanting intraocular lenses in younger children. One of the most widely reported technologic advances in 2004-2005 was the use of hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses in children. Predicting axial growth, and refractive change that accompanies it, is one of the major remaining challenges for the long-term care of children who have had cataract surgery.

SUMMARY

Automation and intraocular lenses have helped to provide better anatomic and functional outcome for cataract surgery in children. Two major challenges in the coming years will be to find a way to obviate invasive procedures like posterior capsulotomy and vitrectomy and to study the growth of eyes in a well designed prospective study that will help to design new intraocular lens power calculation formulas specifically suited for children's eyes.