Long-term visual results and complications in children with aphakia. A function of cataract type

Comparison of intraocular pressure measurements with the tono-pen, goldmann applanation tonometer, and noncontact tonometer in nonglaucomatous pseudophakic children

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the agreement between the Goldman applanation tonometer (GAT), Tono-Pen, and noncontact tonometer (NCT) in the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in pseudophakic children.

METHODS

The medical records of nonglaucomatous pseudophakic children between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 46 eyes of 23 patients operated for bilateral pediatric cataract were included in the study. The patients' mean age was 13.4 ± 4.1 years. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and IOP values measured with the GAT, Tono-Pen, and NCT were recorded. Agreement between the tonometers was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the Bland-Altman method.

RESULTS

The mean IOP of the 46 eyes included in the study was measured as 13.7 ± 2.3 mm Hg with the GAT, 16.0 ± 2.3 mm Hg with NCT, and 16.5 ± 2.3 mm Hg with the Tono-Pen (p < 0.001). There is no statistical difference between NCT and Tono-Pen measurements, while GAT measurements were significantly lower than those of the NCT and Tono-pen. ICC values showed fair agreement between NCT and Tono-Pen (ICC = 0.720), whereas there was poor agreement between GAT and NCT (ICC = 0.501) and Tono-pen (ICC = 0.314).

CONCLUSIONS

With all devices included in the study, thicker corneas were associated with higher IOP measurements. Although there was moderate agreement between the NCT and Tono-Pen, there was a statistically significant difference in the IOP values provided by the three devices. Our results suggest these devices should not be used interchangeably.

Timing of Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma following Infantile Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE

To report timing of diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS) in a large cohort of infants undergoing cataract surgery at a tertiary care center.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

All consecutive infants that underwent cataract surgery over a 30-year period from January 1991 to December 2021 were included if they had at least 1 year follow-up.

METHODS

The data collection included age at time of cataract surgery, presence of associated ocular or systemic conditions, age at diagnosis of GFCS, and treatment required to control GFCS. Glaucoma diagnosis required intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21 mmHg on > 2 visits with glaucomatous optic nerve head changes and/or visual field changes, or in young children, other anatomic changes such as corneal enlargement or haze or accelerated axial elongation and myopic shift.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The incidence of GFCS was calculated. Linear regression was performed to assess the effect of age at time of cataract surgery. Analysis of risk factors and treatment modalities was performed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-three eyes (260 patients) were analyzed. Median age at surgery was 52 days and median follow-up, 8 years. Glaucoma following cataract surgery was noted in 27% (104/383 eyes; median age at surgery, 45 days; median follow-up, 13 years.) Young age at surgery (< 3 months) was the greatest risk factor (P = 0.001) but the incidence was similar for infants operated in the first, second, or third month of life (25%, 36%, 40%, respectively, P = 0.4). Microcornea (41%, P < 0.0001), poorly dilating pupils (25%, P = 0.001), persistent fetal vasculature (PFV, 13%; P = 0.8), or anterior segment dysgenesis (3%, P = 0.02) were considered as additional risk factors. Surgical intervention was needed for 73% (24/33) eyes with early-onset GFCS compared with 14% (10/71) eyes with later-later onset GFCS (P < 0.0001). Medical treatment was effective in 86% with later-onset GFCS (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of GFCS was 27%, and timing of diagnosis occurred in a bimodal fashion. Early-onset GFCS usually requires surgical intervention; medical treatment is effective for later-onset GFCS. Cataract surgery within the first 3 months of life, microcornea, and poorly dilating pupils were major risk factors.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Surgical Outcomes of Lensectomy-Vitrectomy with Primary Intraocular Lens Implantation in Children with Bilateral Congenital Cataracts

In this study, we evaluated the long-term surgical outcomes of lensectomy-vitrectomy with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children with bilateral congenital cataracts (CCs) and investigated the potential risk factors for low vision. A total of 148 eyes in 74 children who underwent lensectomy-vitrectomy with primary IOL implantation were enrolled in this study. The surgery age was 44.04 ± 14.60 months, with a follow-up period of 46.66 ± 14.34 months. The final BCVA was 0.24 ± 0.32 logMAR, and low vision was found in 22 eyes (14.9%). Postoperative complications requiring additional surgeries included VAO (4 eyes, 5.4%), IOL pupillary captures (2 eyes, 2.0%), iris incarceration (1 eye, 0.7%), and glaucoma (1 eye, 0.7%). A higher incidence of VAO and larger postoperative refractive error was observed in younger children (≤2 years old) than in elder children (>2 years old) (p = 0.003, p = 0.047, respectively). Final BCVA was affected by preexisting comorbidity (p < 0.001), cataract density (p < 0.001), cataract size (p = 0.020), occurrence of postoperative complications (p = 0.011), and ASE (p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis showed that denser cataracts (OR = 9.303, p = 0.035) and preexisting comorbidity (OR = 4.712, p = 0.004) were the significant predictors of low vision. In conclusion, lensectomy-vitrectomy with primary IOL implantation is an effective and safe treatment for CC. The long-term visual outcome is encouraging in children with bilateral CC undergoing this procedure with a low rate of postoperative complications requiring surgeries. Moreover, eyes with denser cataracts and preexisting comorbidity may have a high risk of low vision.

Management of cataract surgery in Lowe syndrome

AIM

To evaluate the ophthalmic and anesthesiologic management of cataract surgery in children with Lowe syndrome receiving lens removal, the development and management of secondary glaucoma.

METHODS

This retrospective case series included 12 eyes of 6 children with genetically verified Lowe syndrome receiving cataract removal. Information regarding the type and duration of surgery and total anesthesia time were recorded. Additionally, intra- and postoperative complications were noted as well as clinical examinations such as visual acuity and funduscopy.

RESULTS

All children received simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery at the mean age of 8.98±3.58wk. Lensectomy combined with posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy was performed in all children. The mean time for cataract surgery per eye was 35.83±8.86min, whereas the total time of surgery was 153.33±22.11min. The mean extubation time and duration at recovery room was 42.33±22.60min and 130.00±64.37min, respectively. During surgery, a decrease of oxygen saturation below 93% was found in only one child. During the postoperative follow-up, nystagmus (6 children) and strabismus (5 children) was commonly found in contrast to no case of visual axis opacification. Secondary glaucoma developed in five eyes of three children, which was treated with topical eye drops in only one child. A trabeculectomy was performed in both eyes of one child, whereas removal of syechia and an iridectomy in one eye of one child.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery under general anesthesia is a safe surgical procedure in Lowe syndrome children. The glaucoma screening with intraocular pressure measurements is crucial in the postoperative management of Lowe syndrome patients to avoid additional visual impairment.

Risk Factors for Retinal Detachment Repair After Pediatric Cataract Surgery in the United States

Purpose

To determine the cumulative incidence of retinal detachment (RD) repair following pediatric cataract surgery and identify the associated risk factors.

Design

US population-based insurance claims retrospective cohort study.

Participants

Patients ≤ 18 years old who underwent cataract surgery in 2 large databases: Optum Clinformatics (2003-2021) and IBM MarketScan (2007-2016).

Methods

Individuals with ≥ 6 months of prior enrollment were included, and those with a history of RD, RD repair, traumatic cataract, spherophakia, or ectopia lentis were excluded. The primary outcome was time between initial cataract surgery and RD repair. The risk factors investigated included age, sex, persistent fetal vasculature (PFV), prematurity, intraocular lens (IOL) placement, and pars plana lensectomy approach.

Main Outcome Measures

Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative incidence of RD repair 5 years after cataract surgery and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

Retinal detachment repair was performed on 47 of 3289 children included in this study. The cumulative incidence of RD repair within 5 years of cataract surgery was 2.0% (95% CI, 1.3%-2.6%). Children requiring RD repair were more likely to have a history of prematurity or PFV and less likely to have an IOL placed (all P < 0.001). Factors associated with RD repair in the multivariable analysis included a history of prematurity (HR, 6.89; 95% CI, 3.26-14.56; P < 0.001), PFV diagnosis (HR, 8.20; 95% CI, 4.11-16.37; P < 0.001), and IOL placement (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21-0.91; P = 0.03). Age at surgery, sex, and pars plana lensectomy approach were not significantly associated with RD repair after adjusting for all other covariates.

Conclusions

Approximately 2% of patients will undergo RD repair within 5 years of pediatric cataract surgery. Children with a history of PFV and prematurity undergoing cataract surgery without IOL placement are at the greatest risk.

Experiences of Treatment With Contact Lenses in Aphakic Children With Unilateral Congenital Cataract: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Congenital cataract is a condition compromising the eye's crystalline lens in infants and is usually diagnosed at birth. It can lead to irreversible vision loss if not promptly detected and treated, especially in unilateral cases. Nowadays, children with congenital cataracts can undergo surgical removal of their opacified crystalline lenses, and visual rehabilitation is mandatory to prevent deep amblyopia. Contact lenses, predominantly of rigid gas-permeable (GP) type, are gaining more popularity for this matter.

METHOD

In this retrospective cohort study, unilateral aphakic children younger than 6 years referred to the Contact Lens Clinic at Farabi Eye Hospital from November 2011 to September 2019 were included.

RESULTS

Seventy-six unilateral aphakic children with congenital cataracts (57.9% boys and 42.1% girls) rehabilitated with GP were studied. The mean age of diagnosis and referral to the contact lens clinic were 20.0±19.8 and 32.0±24.4 weeks, respectively, while the mean follow-up time was 12.44±26.28 months. The mean visual acuity for children capable of cooperating at the last follow-up was 0.98±0.62 log MAR. Among the participants, eight children (9.7%) were diagnosed as glaucoma suspects. The mean initial base curve and power of GP lenses were 7.86±0.39 mm and 23.29±5.52 diopters, respectively. Only 21 parents (27.6%) reported nonadherence to the scheduled part-time patch program.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed GP-based optical treatment after early diagnosis, surgical removal of congenital cataracts, and a long-term close follow-up to be well tolerated by children and their parents, with acceptable parents' compliance and can thus be introduced as a safe and effective method to achieve desirable visual outcomes.

Glaucoma and risk factors three years after congenital cataract surgery

Background

This study aimed to identify the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events at various time points after congenital cataract surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 259 eyes from 174 patients (surgical age ≤ 7 years) who underwent congenital cataract surgery. All surgical procedures were conducted at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between May 2011 and March 2019. Patients were classified into group 1 [primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, N = 111 eyes], group 2 (secondary IOL implantation, N = 85 eyes), and group 3 (no IOL implantation, N = 63 eyes). We recorded demographic factors and incidence and risk factors for glaucoma-related adverse events.

Results

Glaucoma-related adverse events occurred in 21 (8.1%) eyes, whereas 27 (10.4%) eyes developed steroid-induced ocular hypertension. The percentage of glaucoma-related adverse events was 0%, 1.2%, 1.2%, 1.6%, 4.0%, and 8.9% at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years after surgery, respectively. Sixteen (18.8%), five (7.9%), and zero eyes developed glaucoma-related adverse events in groups 2, 3, and 1, respectively. Family history of congenital cataract [hazard ratio (HR), 50.463; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.051–361.139; P < 0.001], preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) [HR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.009–1.034; P = 0.001], preoperative horizontal corneal diameter (HCD) [HR, 3.922; 95% CI, 1.558–9.804; P = 0.004], and preoperative lens thickness (LT) [HR, 3.745; 95% CI, 1.344–10.417; P = 0.012] were identified as predictors of postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events.

Conclusions

Family history of congenital cataract, thicker preoperative CCT, smaller preoperative HCD, and thinner preoperative LT are the main risk factors of postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events. Regular monitoring of children after cataract surgery with these risk factors may help ophthalmologists detect susceptible individuals and provide timely interventions in the clinic.

Overcoming myopic shift by the initial inductive hypermetropia in pediatric cataract surgery

Purpose:

To assess the outcome of under-correction of intraocular lens (IOL) power in pediatric cataract surgery.

Methods:

We collected clinical data of 103 patients (181 eyes), all aged ≤15 years, who had undergone cataract surgery by a surgeon during 2006–2016. The mean duration of follow-up was 73 ± 38 months (range: 24–108). IOL power was calculated by Hoffer Q formula in axial length (AL) <21 mm and SRKT formula in AL ≥21 mm and then modified based on this approach: 7D initial inductive hypermetropization in children ≤1-year-old, 5D in 1–3, 3.5D in 3–5, 2.5D in 5–7, 1.5D in 7–9, 1D in 9–10, and 0 in children >10 years old.

Results:

The mean age of all children at surgery time was 5.85 ± 4.56 years (range: 1–178 months). There was a mean myopic shift of −6.379 D in the ≤1 year, −5.532 in the 1–3, −3.194 in the 3–5, −2.301 in the 5–7, −1.06 in the 7–9, −1.567 in the 9–10, and 0.114 in the >10-year-old age group. In 125 eyes (69.1%) of 181, the final SE was between −2 and +2 D, and 21 eyes (11.6%) achieved the goal of emmetropization. Mean best-corrected visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of the resolution was 0.30 in children ≤1 year, 0.39 in 1–3, 0.21 in 3–5, 0.18 in 5–7, 0.14 in 7–9, 0.16 in 9–10, and 0.11 in children >10 years old.

Conclusion:

This study shows a larger myopic shift in younger children. Using our approach, all age groups could finally achieve acceptable final refraction.

Outcomes of the infantile cataract surgery: case series with a 5-year follow-up

PURPOSE

To present the 5-year outcomes obtained from the infantile cataract surgery in pediatric population.

METHODS

Medical records of all patients with unilateral or bilateral infantile cataract who had undergone lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy with or without intraocular lens implantation before 10 years of age were evaluated. Patients with any history of ocular trauma, retinal or corneal dystrophy, ocular or orbital surgery, retinopathy of prematurity, raised intraocular pressure at the time of diagnosis, or incomplete follow-up sessions were excluded from the research.

RESULTS

A total of 85 eyes belonged to 52 patients were analyzed. Bilateral and unilateral diseases were present in 33 (63.5%) and 19 (36.5%) patients, respectively. After performing the first operation, 43 (50.6%) eyes still remained aphakic. The mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of the aphakic and pseudophakic eyes was estimated as 0.77 ± 0.52 and 0.43 ± 0.39 logMAR with no statistical difference. The age at the time of performing the cataract surgery was not associated with the final CDVA in either group. Complications in the anterior segment structures were noted in 39 (45%) eyes. Strabismus and amblyopia were noted in 52 (61%) and 75 (88.2%) eyes, respectively. Glaucoma was found in 17 (20%) eyes with no correlation with the final CDVA, age at the time of cataract surgery, or the status of the lens.

CONCLUSION

Due to high prevalence rates of amblyopia, strabismus, and glaucoma after the infantile cataract surgery, specific attention should be paid to these complications in each follow-up examination.

One-year results of two-site trabeculotomy in paediatric glaucoma following cataract surgery

PURPOSE

The management of glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS) in children is challenging. This study looks at the results of two-site trabeculotomy in paediatric aphakic/pseudophakic glaucoma, 1-year post operatively.

METHODS

This prospective, institutional study was performed on 33 eyes with GFCS in patients aged ≤14 years. Patients underwent two-site trabeculotomy using the rigid-probe trabeculotome, through a superonasal and an inferotemporal scleral flap. Intraocular pressure (IOP), medications, complications and success rates at 1 year were reported. Success was defined as IOP < 23 mmHg or 30% IOP reduction, on the same or fewer number of medications at 1 year, without the need for another glaucoma procedure.

RESULTS

Trabeculotomy was performed on average 3.5 years after the cataract surgery. Patients were aged 5.73 ± 1.79 years. We excluded four eyes in which >180° incision could not be achieved. A 360° incision was achieved in 14 eyes (48%). There was a significant reduction in IOP and medications at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001). At 1 year, mean IOP reduction was 48.2 ± 31.5%. Success was achieved in 26 eyes (89.6%), of which 15 were controlled without medications. There was no significant difference in IOP, medications or success between aphakic and pseudophakic eyes nor between eyes that had 360° trabeculotomy and eyes that had a 180-270° incision. Three eyes (10.3%) required another glaucoma procedure. One eye required core vitrectomy for vitreous haemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-site trabeculotomy can be used as an effective and safe first-line procedure in paediatric GFCS eyes that do not have extensive peripheral anterior synechiae.

Profile of congenital cataract in the first year of life from a tertiary care center in South India - A modern series

Purpose:

To report the etiology, clinical presentation, and morphology of congenital cataract in a tertiary care center.

Methods:

It is a prospective cohort study conducted at L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. All children with congenital cataract ≤ 12 months of age that required surgical intervention between August 2015 and July 2016 were included in the study. 109 such patients were subjected to meticulous history taking, pedigree charting, ocular, and systemic examination, B-scan, TORCH testing, clinical photographs, pediatrician consult and blood tests, which included serum calcium, serum phosphorous and urine for reducing sugars.

Results:

The mean age of presentation was 4.1 months (±2.6 months) and both the genders were equally affected (P = 0.49). Eighty-five patients (77.9%) presented with bilateral cataracts while 24 patients had a unilateral presentation (22.1%). The common morphological presentation was either a total or a nuclear cataract, both variants noticed in 47 patients (43.1%). TORCH infections were responsible for a maximum (37 patients, 33.4%) number of cases followed by familial (20 patients, 18%) and developmental anomalies (11 patients, 10.1%) while the total number of idiopathic cases were 24% (27 patients). Eighteen patients (16.5%) had congenital heart defects and the majority (16 patients, 88.9%) of these had positive TORCH titres.

Conclusion:

Familial cataract and those possibly due to TORCH are still the predominant cause of congenital cataract in this series-highlighting the role of vaccination and preventive measures.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of secondary glaucoma, glaucoma suspects and ocular hypertension after congenital cataract surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure after congenital cataract surgery in a real-world setting.

METHODS

This retrospective case series included all children aged 0-2 years undergoing lens extraction due to congenital cataract. Development of an elevated intraocular pressure was divided into three groups: secG, suspG and OHT. Further, risk factors for IOP changes, the therapeutic approach and functional outcome were assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-one eyes of 110 patients aged 0-2 years were included, whereof 29 eyes of 17 children developed secondary glaucoma (secG; 11 eyes/8 patients), glaucoma suspect (suspG; three eyes/three patients) or ocular hypertension (OHT; 15 eyes/10 patients). No difference in surgrical procedure (p = 0.62) was found, but age at cataract surgery differed significantly (p = 0.048), with the secG group (1.74 ± 1.01 months) being the youngest (suspG: 3.93 ± 1.80 months; OHT group: 5.91 ± 5.36 months).Secondary surgical intervention was significantly higher in the secG (4.64 ± 3.41) followed by the suspG (2.00 ± 2.65) and OHT groups (0.40 ± 0.74; p < 0.001). Postoperative complications including nystagmus (p = 0.81), strabismus (p = 0.98) and amblyopia (p = 0.73) showed no difference, in contrast to visual axis obscuration which was more common in the secG group (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

Initial lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy procedure together with or without IOL implantation seems to have no influence for the development of IOP changes after pediatric cataract surgery. However, children who developed secondary glaucoma had cataract surgery significantly earlier, within the first 2-3 months of life. Glaucoma surgery was required to achieve final IOP control in most eyes. The development of secondary glaucoma was also associated with a significant increase in surgical re-treatments.

The impact of late-treated pediatric cataract on intraocular pressure

PURPOSE

To assess the intraocular pressure and visual acuity before and after pediatric congenital cataract surgery performed at a relatively older age.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive pediatric patients diagnosed and operated for bilateral congenital cataracts during a seven-year period (2012-2018) in rural southern Ethiopia. Non-ambulatory vision was defined as hand motion or worse. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity.

RESULTS

Thirty-two children were included, 17 females (53.1%), with a mean age of 11 years (± 2.83) [range, 7-18]. A total of 59 eyes were operated on. The mean follow-up was 4.8 ± 1.8 years (range, 2-8). VA improved from 20/1400 preoperatively to 20/440 postoperatively OD and 20/540 OS (p < 0.001). More eyes had ambulatory vision after cataract surgery than pre-surgery (56 eyes [95%] vs. 29 eyes [49%], p < 0.001). The IOP decreased from a mean preoperative value of 18.4 ± 7.1 mmHg to 14.5 ± 2.9 postoperatively OD (p < 0.001) and 16.3 ± 5.9 mmHg to 13.9 ± 3.5 OS (p < 0.001). Fifteen eyes (24%) had increased IOP (> 21 mmHg) preoperatively, of which three remained high after surgery. Positive correlations were found between IOP, axial length and cup-to-disc ratio. None of the patients required pressure-lowering procedures.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral congenital cataracts may be associated with ocular hypertension, with possible progression to glaucoma if left untreated. Surgery at a relatively older age often was associated with a significant improvement in intraocular pressure and ambulatory vision.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Secondary Glaucoma After Pediatric Congenital Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Spain

PURPOSE

To analyze clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcomes of pediatric patients with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery at a single tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

Medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed as having glaucoma secondary to congenital cataract surgery between 1996 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 58 eyes of 42 patients were included with a median follow-up time of 55 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 27 to 128) after glaucoma diagnosis. Mean time of glaucoma onset after cataract surgery was 35 months (IQR: 5 to 96). At diagnosis, 81% of the eyes were aphakic and the majority presented with an open angle (86%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that glaucoma diagnosis was made earlier in eyes with persistent fetal vasculature (β = -0.334, P = .006) and aphakic eyes (β = 0.404, P = .001). Two-thirds of eyes required surgical treatment for glaucoma. Seventy percent had an Ahmed glaucoma valve (New World Medical, Inc) implantation as their primary procedure, followed by trabeculectomy (24%) and synechiolysis with peripheral iridotomy (6%). All medically treated eyes and 78% of the surgically treated eyes achieved intraocular pressure (IOP) control at the final visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery seems to follow a bimodal distribution (years 1 and 5 after cataract surgery). Two-thirds of the eyes required surgical hypotensive treatment to achieve IOP control. Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is a safe and effective surgical option to be considered as both first- and second-line treatment. Functional outcome was more favorable in those eyes with medically controlled glaucoma. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(5):292-300.].

Secondary glaucoma and visual outcome after paediatric cataract surgery with primary bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens

PURPOSE

To determine predictors of secondary glaucoma and poor visual outcome in children undergoing cataract surgery with bag-in-the-lens (BIL)-IOL implantation.

METHODS

Medical records were retrospectively analysed for children with primary implantation with BIL-IOL during 2009-2013.

RESULTS

The study included 109 eyes. Median age at surgery was 2.5 years (range 2 weeks-14.1 years), 26.6% being ≤12 weeks of age (= early group). Median follow-up time was 2.8 years (7 months-5.8 years). 15 eyes (13.8%) developed glaucoma, 14 (48.3%) in the early group and 1 (1.3%) in the late group (p < 0.001). Within the early group, mean time for surgery differed significantly. Patients developing glaucoma had cataract surgery at 3.5 ± 1.1 weeks (mean ± SD) and the non-glaucoma patients at 5.7 ± 3.3 weeks (p = 0.024). In the entire cohort, 21 eyes (19.3%) had conditions associated with glaucoma; 57.1% of these developed glaucoma compared to 3.4% without these conditions (p < 0.001). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (decimal) of ≥0.5 was seen in 50 eyes (48.5%), median 0.63 in the late group and 0.15 in the early group. Glaucoma eyes in the early group (surgery at 3.5 weeks) achieved 0.56 median (range, 0.4-1.0) logMAR, (0.28 decimal) CDVA, whereas non-glaucoma eyes (surgery at 5.7 weeks) achieved 0.89 median (range 0.7-1.6) logMAR (0.13 decimal) CDVA; p = 0.016. Glaucoma development in infants between 5 weeks and 2 years of age was 6.7% (n = 2/30).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidity strongly increases the risk of secondary glaucoma. Surgery during the first month is correlated with better CDVA outcome and glaucoma. After 5 weeks of age, glaucoma rate is low with the BIL-IOL.

Iridocorneal Angle and Anterior Segment Structure of Eyes in Children with Cataract

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the morphology of iridocorneal angle and anterior segment in eyes of children with cataract.

METHODS

In this prospective cross-sectional study, we included eyes of children with bilateral cataract as well as unilateral cataract and fellow eyes. The iridocorneal angle was evaluated using gonioscopy. We compared the preoperative structures of iridocorneal angle and anterior segment between cataractous eyes and fellow eyes. The grading of iridocorneal angle and anatomical changes were analyzed.

RESULTS

We finally recruited 55 eyes of 55 children with bilateral cataract and 41 cataractous eyes and 33 fellow eyes of 41 children with unilateral cataract. The fellow eyes were used as a control group. The iridocorneal angle was open in eyes with pediatric cataract when compared to control eyes. The eyes with cataract exhibited more pigments on the trabecular meshwork than control eyes did (unilateral cataract vs. control, p = 0.013; bilateral cataract vs. control, p = 0.002). The eyes with cataract exhibited a smaller cornea than control eyes (unilateral cataract vs. control, p = 0.031; bilateral cataract vs. control, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The iridocorneal angle is open in the eyes of children with cataract. Eyes with increased pigments on the trabecular meshwork need to be carefully monitored and surgeons should to be on the alert for postoperative glaucoma.

Secondary glaucoma and visual axis opacification in aphakic and pseudophakic patients following congenital cataract surgery: A 28-year longitudinal case series

Purpose:

To determine the incidence, timing and risk factors for glaucoma and visual axis opacification development following surgery for congenital cataract in the first year of life.

Methods:

A prospective case series of all cataract surgery performed in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital over a 28-year period was conducted. A total of 93 subjects (135 eyes) were analysed. Sixty-two eyes had a primary intraocular lens inserted at the time of surgery; 73 eyes were aphakic. We recorded patient demographics, age at surgery, length of follow-up, rates and time to diagnosis of glaucoma and rates of visual axis opacification. Relative risk analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for secondary glaucoma and visual axis opacification.

Results:

Mean length of follow-up was 160.02 ± 64.42 months (13.3 years), range 40–336 months. Final mean LogMAR across all groups was 0.85 ± 0.51 (0.90). Overall 45 (33.33%) eyes developed secondary glaucoma, 12 (19.4%) in pseudophakic eyes and 33 (45.21%) in aphakic eyes. The incidence of glaucoma was highest in bilateral aphakia (relative risk 1.96, p = 0.0240) and in eyes with corneal diameter <9.5 mm (relative risk 1.93, p = 0.0364). There was no significant difference in glaucoma rates between pseudophakia and aphakia in those operated on less than 2.5 months of age. Secondary glaucoma occurred between 3 months to 16.5 years post surgery. Rates of visual axis opacification were lower in aphakia compared to pseudophakia (relative risk 0.59, p = 0.0098).

Conclusion:

Overall glaucoma rates of one-third are similar to those recorded in the infantile aphakic treatment study. It can occur up to 17 years post cataract surgery, evidence that long-term follow-up is imperative.

Intraocular lens implantation as an isolated risk factor for secondary glaucoma in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on the development of secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery in pediatric patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series study.

METHODS

This study reviewed the medical records of children under 16 years of age who had undergone cataract surgery from 1996 to 2016 for congenital or developmental cataract. In every child an IOL was implanted in the primary surgery. Data collected included demographic information, age at cataract diagnosis and at surgery, surgical procedure, and postoperative follow-up of refraction, cup-to-disc ratio (C/D), intraocular pressure (IOP), and associated systemic and ocular anomalies. Patients with risk factors for glaucoma were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Of the 255 children below age 16 years who underwent cataract extraction surgery with primary IOL implantation, 73 (124 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 18 years. Only 1 patient (0.8% of the 124 eyes) developed glaucoma in 1 of his 2 operated eyes; the surgeries were performed at 10 months, 1 week apart, and glaucoma was diagnosed 4 months later. One patient had suspected glaucoma in both eyes (incidence of 1.6%). Both these children were of Bedouin origin.

CONCLUSION

IOL implantation, by itself, is not a risk factor for development of secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery in a population below 16 years of age.

Predicting Factor of Visual Outcome in Unilateral Idiopathic Cataract Surgery in Patients Aged 3 to 10 Years

Purpose

To report the surgical results of unilateral pediatric cataracts from uncertain causes in relatively older children and to identify factors related to better visual outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 39 patients who underwent surgery between the ages of 3 and 10 years for unilateral pediatric cataracts of no known cause. All patients underwent primary intraocular lens implantation and postoperative amblyopia treatment. A postoperative final visual acuity better than 20 / 30 was considered to be a good visual outcome.

Results

The mean age of patients was 6.0 ± 1.8 years at the time of surgery. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 1.07 ± 0.71 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (range, 0.15 to 3.00), while the mean final postoperative visual acuity was 0.47 ± 0.54 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (range, 0.00 to 2.00). Of 39 patients, 18 (46.2%) achieved a good visual outcome. Only the preoperative visual acuity maintained a significant association with a good visual outcome according to our multivariate analysis (p = 0.040). A preoperative visual acuity of 20 / 100 or better was found to increase the chance of achieving a good visual outcome by 13.79-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 167.58).

Conclusions

The visual outcome of unilateral pediatric cataract surgery for cataracts with no specific cause identified in patients after three years of age could be satisfactory, especially with a preoperative visual acuity of 20 / 100 or better.

Clinical features of strabismus and nystagmus in bilateral congenital cataracts

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence, clinical features, and the factors affecting onset of strabismus and nystagmus in patients with bilateral congenital cataracts.

METHODS

This study evaluated 116 eyes of 58 patients who underwent lens removal for the treatment of bilateral congenital cataracts between January 1999 and January 2011. The presence and type of strabismus and nystagmus were determined before and after surgery. Type of strabismus and final visual acuity were compared in patients with and without nystagmus. Patients were divided into three groups (orthotropia/orthotropia, orthotropia/strabismus, and strabismus/strabismus) according to their preoperative and postoperative ocular alignment. Age at cataract surgery and associations of nystagmus and primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with strabismus were analyzed.

RESULTS

Six patients (10.3%) had strabismus preoperatively and an additional 11 (19.0%) developed postoperative strabismus. Exotropia was more common than esotropia both preoperatively and postoperatively. Eighteen patients (31.0%) had postoperative nystagmus, with sensory nystagmus being the most common type. Of the 18 patients with nystagmus, 10 had strabismus, with exotropia being more common than esotropia. Postoperative visual acuity was poor in patients with nystagmus. Age at cataract surgery and rate of primary IOL implantation were significantly lower, and postoperative nystagmus was more common, in the orthotropia/strabismus group than in the other two groups.

CONCLUSION

Exotropia and sensory nystagmus are common in patients with bilateral congenital cataracts. Age at cataract surgery and rate of IOL implantation are lower and nystagmus more common in patients with postoperative onset of strabismus. Nystagmus is associated with poor visual prognosis.

Long-term efficacy of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation in the management of glaucoma following cataract surgery in children

PURPOSE

To report the long-term efficacy of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) in pediatric glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS).

METHODS

ECP was performed on 35 eyes of 25 patients <16 years of age with GFCS. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Treatment failure was defined as consecutive postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of >24 mm Hg, alternative glaucoma procedure following ECP, or occurrence of visually significant complications. Analysis was performed to estimate risk factors for failure.

RESULTS

A total of 27 aphakic and 8 pseudophakic eyes were included. Pretreatment IOP averaged 33.9 ± 7.9 mm Hg. Final IOP after a mean follow-up period of 7.2 years was 18.9 ± 8.8 mm Hg (P < 0.001). The success rate was 54% (19/35 eyes). The failure rate was not increased in pseudophakic patients relative to aphakic patients. Patients with single ECP demonstrated preserved visual acuity from baseline to final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this patient cohort, with average follow-up period of 7.2 years, ECP was useful in the treatment of pediatric GFCS.

Surgical Outcome of Congenital Cataract in Eyes With Microcornea

PURPOSE

To report the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of congenital cataract surgery in eyes with microcornea.

METHODS

In this retrospective, interventional, comparative case series, the authors reviewed 47 eyes of 26 children with microcornea and congenital cataract (21 bilateral and 5 unilateral) who underwent lens aspiration with primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy between 2008 and 2014 with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Demographic profiles and systemic and ocular features were documented. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were studied separately for bilateral and unilateral cases. Patients were also divided into two groups on the basis of their ages at surgery (early surgery group: 3 months or younger; late surgery group: older than 3 months) and postoperative complications were compared. Visual outcome was analyzed in those with a follow-up period of more than 1 year.

RESULTS

Early surgery was performed in 24 eyes of 13 patients (11 bilateral and 2 unilateral) and late surgery in 23 eyes of 13 patients (10 bilateral and 3 unilateral). Intraoperatively, all eyes had poor pupillary dilatation and 6 (12.8%) eyes needed iris hooks. Postoperatively, the most common early complication was transient corneal edema observed in 22 (46.8%) eyes (13 and 8 eyes in the early and late surgery groups, respectively). Late complications included visual axis opacification in 6 (12.76%) eyes (3 in each group), and secondary glaucoma in 5 (10.64%) eyes (2 and 3 eyes in the early and late surgery groups, respectively). Vision was normal for age in 18 (60%) of the bilateral cases with a follow-up period of more than 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Early surgical intervention for congenital cataract in eyes with microcornea can result in favorable outcomes with an acceptable rate of postoperative complications. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(1):30-36.].

Incidence and Risk Factors of Early-onset Glaucoma following Pediatric Cataract Surgery in Egyptian Children: One-year Study

Aim

To study the incidence and risk factors of glaucoma occurring within 1 year following pediatric cataract surgery in Egyptian children.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective nonrandomized study conducted at Aburich Children’s Hospital, over a period of 1 year on a cohort of Egyptian patients with congenital and infantile cataract. One hundred and fifty eyes of 88 patients were enrolled in this study. All the patients underwent anterior approach removal of lens matter, whereas primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was carried at the age of 1 and 2 years for unilateral and bilateral cases respectively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year. For those who developed glaucoma, time of diagnosis and associated risk factors were reported.

Results

The incidence of glaucoma was 11.33% (17 of 150 eyes), while incidence of glaucoma suspect was 0.67% (1 of 150 eyes) in the first year following cataract surgery. The majority of the cases (66.7%) were discovered in the first 3 months postcataract surgery. Age at time of cataract surgery, the state of aphakia/pseudophakia, persistent fetal vasculature (PFV), and microphthalmia were not found to be significant predictors of early-onset glaucoma in our study.

Conclusion

Aphakic glaucoma continues to be a devastating condition with high incidence during first year following cataract surgery.

Clinical significance

Regular follow-up should start as early as possible following cataract surgery. Further prospective studies with larger study population are required.

How to cite this article: Gawdat GI, Youssef MM, Bahgat NM, Elfayoumi DM, Eddin MAS. Incidence and Risk Factors of Early-onset Glaucoma following Pediatric Cataract Surgery in Egyptian Children: One-year Study. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2017;11(3):80-85.

Surgical outcomes of congenital and developmental cataracts in Japan

PURPOSE

To retrospectively analyze the surgical outcomes of congenital/developmental cataracts in Japan.

METHODS

A mail questionnaire was sent to facilities engaged in surgical treatment of congenital cataracts.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine facilities reported on 809 eyes of 508 patients with congenital/developmental cataracts. Three hundred fifty-nine eyes underwent intraocular lens implantation (pseudophakia group), while 450 eyes were left aphakic (aphakia group). The average age at surgery was significantly higher in the pseudophakia group (70 ± 53 months) than in the aphakia group (14 ± 24 months) (P < 0.0001). A significantly larger proportion of patients with unilateral cataract (52.0 %) received IOL implantation than did those with bilateral cataracts (42.6 %) (P = 0.0224). The prevalence of associated ocular disorders, such as nystagmus, microcornea, nanophthalmos, and persistent fetal vasculature, was significantly higher in the aphakia group than in the pseudophakia group. Postoperatively, glaucoma developed more frequently in the aphakia group (5.8 %) than in the pseudophakia group (0.7 %) (P = 0.0003). Posterior capsule opacification developed more frequently in the pseudophakic eyes even when both posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed, especially in patients aged 1 year or younger. Postoperative visual acuity was significantly better in the pseudophakia group than in the aphakia group, both in the unilateral and in the bilateral cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons tended to select IOL implantation, rather than to leave the eye aphakic, in patients who were older at the time of surgery, had fewer coexisting ocular disorders, and suffered from unilateral cataract. Under such circumstances, pseudophakic eyes obtained significantly better postoperative visual acuity than did aphakic eyes.

Long-Term Visual Outcomes of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation in Children with Congenital Cataracts

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term visual outcomes and factors affecting visual results in children undergoing secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation following primary congenital cataract extraction.

Methods

Children with congenital cataracts who underwent secondary IOL implantation for aphakia at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. One eye was randomly selected in children with bilateral cataracts. Laterality, type of cataract (total or partial opacity), sex, age at primary and secondary surgeries, visual axis opacity (VAO), compliance with amblyopia therapy, postoperative ocular complications, refractive error, ocular alignment, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at last follow-up were recorded; potential factors that might have affected the visual results were evaluated.

Results

Seventy-six bilateral and 34 unilateral congenital cataract cases were analyzed; the mean ages of the children were 12.70±5.06 and 12.50±2.71 years at final follow-up, the mean follow-up periods from IOL implantation were 94.93±24.22 and 109.09±18.89 months, and the mean BCVA (Log MAR) values were 0.51±0.37 and 1.05±0.46, respectively. Final BCVA after secondary IOL implantation was significantly associated with laterality, type of cataract, age at primary cataract extraction, compliance with amblyopia therapy, and refractive correction after surgery. No significant associations were found between BCVA and sex, age at secondary IOL implantation, VAO, or other ocular complications. The most common ocular complications were VAO and elevated intraocular pressure after surgery. There were no other complications, with the exception of one eye with IOL dislocation.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the important determinants of long-term visual outcomes in children with congenital cataracts undergoing secondary IOL implantation are laterality, cataract type, age at initial cataract extraction, compliance with amblyopia therapy, and refractive error.

Strabismus in infants following congenital cataract surgery

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of strabismus following congenital cataract surgery in infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged <12 months who underwent surgery for congenital cataract and were followed-up for ≥1 years were included. Patients that had strabismus prior to surgery were excluded. Data regarding gender, cataract laterality, morphology, and density, age at the time of cataract surgery, ocular motility post surgery, and the presence of nystagmus were retrospectively obtained from the patients' records.

RESULTS

The study included 79 patients (48 male and 31 female). Unilateral surgery was performed in 14 of the patients, versus bilateral surgery in 65. Strabismus did not occur post surgery in 32 (40.5 %) of the patients (group 1), whereas 47 (59.5 %) (group 2) developed strabismus following surgery. The patients in group 1 were followed-up for a mean 50.7 ± 38.5 months, versus 50.3 ± 39 months in group 2. Mean age at the time of cataract surgery in groups 1 and 2 was 3.6 ± 1.9 years and 4.6 ± 3.2 months respectively. Mean duration of time between cataract surgery and the development of strabismus was 13.3 ± 13 months (range: 1-60 months). Unilateral cases were more prone to develop strabismus, which was statistically significant (p = 0.028). Age at the time of cataract surgery, gender, cataract density, the occurrence of aphakic glaucoma, the presence of nystagmus, and additional ocular surgery were not significantly associated with the development of strabismus.

CONCLUSION

Strabismus develops more frequently in children undergoing cataract surgery. In the present study strabismus occurred in more of the patients that underwent unilateral surgery. Based on the present findings, we think that long-term careful follow-up to monitor the development of strabismus is required in all infants undergoing cataract surgery, especially unilateral cases.

Long-Term Follow-Up after Surgery for Congenital and Developmental Cataracts

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term functional outcomes after surgery for congenital and developmental cataracts.

METHODS

In this retrospective interventional study, patients with congenital and developmental cataracts observed from 1996 to 2013 were included. Traumatic cataracts and cataracts secondary to other pathologies were excluded from the study. Minimum follow-up for inclusion was five years.

RESULTS

We included 117 patients operated on for congenital cataracts (58 females and 59 males, mean age 0.59 ± 0.2 years, 160 eyes) and 73 patients operated on for developmental cataracts (32 females and 41 males, mean age 6.63 ± 0.7 years, 121 eyes). Mean postsurgical follow-up was 9.26 ± 1.3 years (range, 5-14 years). After surgery for developmental cataracts, both distance and near BCVA were greater (p = 0.001), as was the presence of binocular vision (p = 0.001), while incidence of strabismus and myopic shift was lower (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Postsurgical data showed better functional outcomes in developmental cataracts when compared to congenital cataracts.

A novel MIP gene mutation associated with autosomal dominant congenital cataracts in a Chinese family

BACKGROUND

The major intrinsic protein gene (MIP), also known as MIP26 or AQP0, is a member of the water-transporting aquaporin family, which plays a critical role in the maintenance of lifelong lens transparency. To date, several mutations in MIP (OMIM 154050) have been linked to hereditary cataracts in humans. However, more pathogenic mutations remain to be identified. In this study, we describe a four-generation Chinese family with a nonsense mutation in MIP associated with an autosomal dominant congenital cataract (ADCC), thus expanding the mutational spectrum of this gene.

METHODS

A large four-generation Chinese family affected with typical Y-suture cataracts combined with punctuate cortical opacities and 100 ethnically matched controls were recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes to analyze congenital cataract-related candidate genes. Effects of the sequence change on the structure and function of proteins were predicted by bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

Direct sequencing of MIP in all affected members revealed a heterozygous nucleotide exchange c.337C>T predicting an arginine to a stop codon exchange (p.R113X). The substitution co-segregated well in all the affected individuals in the family and was not found in unaffected members or in the 100 unrelated healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the mutation affects the secondary structure and function of the MIP protein.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a novel mutation of MIP (p.R113X) in a Chinese cataract family. This is the first nonsense mutation of MIP identified thus far. This novel mutation is also the first disease-causing mutation located in the loop C domain of MIP. The results add to the list of mutations of the MIP linked to cataracts.

Visual outcomes of bilateral congenital and developmental cataracts in young children in south India and causes of poor outcome

CONTEXT

Bilateral pediatric cataracts are important cause of visual impairment in children.

AIM

To study the outcome of bilateral pediatric cataract surgery in young children.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Retrospective case series in a tertiary center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records of pediatric cataracts operated between January 2001 and December 2003, with a minimum follow-up of 3 months, were reviewed retrospectively.

STATISTICAL METHODS

Independent sample t-test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science, Chicago, USA) version 12.

RESULTS

215/257 (83.7%) patients had a minimum follow-up of 3 months. The mean age of presentation to the hospital was 53 months (range: 0-168 months). Congenital cataract was present in 107 patients (58.2%) and developmental cataract in 77 patients (41.8%). The mean age at surgery was 55.2 months (range: 1-168 months). Out of 430 eyes, 269 (62.6%) had an intraocular lens implanted. The mean duration of follow-up was 13.1 months (range: 3-38 months). Pre-operatively, 102 patients (47.3%) had visual acuity <6/60, in the better eye, compared to 37 patients (17.2%) post-operatively ( P < 0.001). Eighty-five patients (39.5%) had visual acuity >6/18. The most common early post-operative complication was fibrinous uveitis in 57 eyes (13.3%) and the most common delayed post-operative complication was posterior capsular opacification in 118 eyes (27.4%). The most important prognostic factor for poor outcome was congenital cataract (odds ratio [OR]: 26.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4-158.5) and total cataract (OR: 4.8; 95% CI, 1.3-17).

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of the eyes had visual acuity >6/18. The outcome was poorer in congenital cataracts, especially those operated after >1 year of age.

Secondary glaucoma after pediatric cataract surgery

AIM

To determine the incidence and risk factors of secondary glaucoma after pediatric cataract surgery.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty nine eyes of 148 patients underwent cataract surgery without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (group 1), and 220 eyes of 129 patients underwent cataract surgery with IOL implantation (group 2) retrospectively, were evaluated between 2000 and 2011. The outcome measure was the presence or absence of post-cataract surgery glaucoma, defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥26mmHg, as measured on at least two occasions along with corneal or optic nerve changes.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up periods of group 1 and 2 were (60.86±30.95) months (12-123 months) and (62.11±31.29) months (14-115 months) respectively. In group 1, 12 eyes of 8 patients (4.8%) developed glaucoma. None of the patients developed glaucoma after surgery in group 2. The mean age of the patients at the cataract surgery was (2.58±0.90) months (1 month-4 months) and the average period for glaucoma development after surgery was (9.50±4.33) months (4-16 months) in group 1. Three of the 12 glaucomatous eyes were controlled with antiglaucomatous medication and 9 eyes underwent trabeculectomy+mitomycin C surgery. One patient underwent a second trabeculectomy + mitomycin C operation for both of his eyes.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of glaucoma after pediatric cataract surgery is very low in patients in whom IOL is implanted. The aphakic eyes after pediatric cataract surgery are at an increased risk for glaucoma development particularly if they underwent surgery before 4 months of age.

Incidence and predictors of glaucoma following surgery for congenital cataract in the first year of life in Victoria, Australia

AIM

To determine the incidence and predictors of glaucoma following surgery for congenital and infantile cataract in an Australian population.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Infants (<12 months) having had lens extraction between January 1992 and May 2006, from two tertiary referral centres.

METHODS

Children with uveitis, anterior segment dysgenesis, aniridia, retinopathy of prematurity, and lens subluxation were excluded. Potential predictors of incident glaucoma were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustment for clustering between eyes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence and predictors of secondary glaucoma.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-seven eyes of 101 patients (46 bilateral cataract; 55 unilateral cataract) were included, with median follow-up of 9.9 years (range 1.2-18.9 years). Cumulative incidence of glaucoma was 32.0% for eyes (n = 47) and 30.7% (n = 31) for subjects. Incidence was higher in children with bilateral cataract (38.9 vs. 17.1%, p = 0.004). There were 3.9 cases of glaucoma per 100 person years of follow-up, the incidence rate being highest for surgery performed in the first month of life. Children with glaucoma had longer median follow-up (11.8 vs. 9.3 years, p = 0.005). Risk of glaucoma decreased with increasing months of age at operation: hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.91, p = 0.001. Median visual acuity was worse in children with unilateral cataract (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified an increased risk of glaucoma when cataract surgery was performed in younger infants, and in those with bilateral cataract. As glaucoma may develop over a decade following lens extraction, life-long surveillance is needed to prevent glaucoma-associated vision loss.

Management and outcomes of cataract in children: the Toronto experience

PURPOSE

To review the management and outcomes of pediatric patients with cataract who were managed by one of two surgeons at a single institution.

METHODS

An observational series of consecutive cases identified from the hospital's outpatient billing records and surgical data program were used. Visual acuity was measured with the Snellen or Allen charts. Glaucoma was defined as IOP >20 mm Hg with clinical signs of glaucoma or visual field loss. Procedures for aphakic/pseudophakic glaucoma were excluded from analysis of additional surgeries performed subsequent to cataract extraction.

RESULTS

The search identified 778 patients (1,122 eyes) diagnosed with cataract over 10 years. Of these, 74% of eyes were treated surgically. Those patients with total, nuclear, and lamellar cataracts were significantly more likely than the overall population to undergo surgery. Additional surgeries were required in 12% of surgically treated eyes, with pseudophakic eyes representing more than one-half. Aphakic and pseudophakic glaucoma prevalence were 12% and 1%, respectively. Cataract morphology was not found to be a predisposing factor in the development of glaucoma. Visual outcomes were significantly better for posterior subcapsular (P = 0.0001), nuclear (P = 0.025), lamellar (P = 0.03), and traumatic cataracts (P = 0.005) than for other morphological types at all ages. Visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 63% of children with unilateral pseudophakia, 45% of children with unilateral aphakia, and approximately 75% of children with bilateral aphakia and pseudophakia.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with total, nuclear, and lamellar cataracts were more likely to undergo surgery. Approximately 10% of patients required additional surgeries. No cataract morphology predisposed patients to developing glaucoma. Good visual outcomes were attained in bilaterally pseudophakic/aphakic and unilaterally pseudophakic children.

[Aphakic and pseudophakic glaucoma following pediatric cataract surgery]

Modern surgical techniques allow congenital cataract surgery to be performed much more successfully. The development of a secondary glaucoma is the most dreaded postoperative complication (one third of all pediatric secondary glaucomas). Due to the limited value of the available literature, data on prevalence are unreliable. A 10-year postoperative incidence of 10-25% is given in the literature for developing secondary glaucoma and the frequency increases with the duration of follow-up. A major risk factor seems to be the age at the time of surgery. The younger the patient is at the time of surgery the higher the risk of secondary glaucoma. A microcornea seems to be another risk factor in multivariate analysis. The following postoperative changes might be involved in the pathogenesis: peripheral anterior synechia, high iris insertion and membranous material over the trabecular meshwork. Additionally postoperative inflammation, reaction to lens epithelial cells, perioperative barotrauma and loss of anterior segment architecture might also be responsible. In order to evaluate the optimal age window for congenital cataract surgery and risk factors for the development of secondary glaucoma, a prospective longitudinal study is mandatory.

Fixation control and eye alignment in children treated for dense congenital or developmental cataracts

BACKGROUND

Many children treated for cataracts develop strabismus and nystagmus; however, little is known about the critical period for adverse ocular motor outcomes with respect to age of onset and duration.

METHODS

Children who had undergone extraction of dense cataracts by the age of 5 years were enrolled postoperatively. Ocular alignment was assessed regularly throughout follow-up. Fixation stability and associated ocular oscillations were determined from eye movement recordings at ≥5 years old. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate whether laterality (unilateral vs bilateral), age at onset, and/or duration of visual deprivation were associated with adverse ocular motor outcomes and to determine multivariate odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

A total of 41 children were included. Of these, 27 (66%) developed strabismus; 29 (71%) developed nystagmus. Congenital onset was associated with significant risk for strabismus (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.1-34.1); infantile onset was associated with significant risk for nystagmus (OR, 13.6; 95% CI, 1.6-302). Duration >6 weeks was associated with significant risk for both strabismus (OR, 9.1; 95% CI, 1.9-54.2) and nystagmus (OR, 46.2; 95% CI, 6.0-1005). Congenital onset was associated with significant risk for interocular asymmetry in severity of nystagmus (OR, 25.0; 95% CI, 2.6-649), as was unilateral cataract (OR, 58.9; 95% CI, 5.1-2318).

CONCLUSIONS

Laterality (unilateral vs bilateral) and age at onset were significant nonmodifiable risk factors for adverse ocular motor outcomes. Duration of deprivation was a significant modifiable risk factor for adverse ocular motor outcomes. The current study demonstrated that reduced risk for nystagmus and strabismus was associated with deprivation ≤6 weeks.

The Infant Aphakia Treatment Study: evaluation of cataract morphology in eyes with monocular cataracts

PURPOSE

To describe a video-documented assessment of cataract type in the eyes of patients with monocular infantile cataract who were enrolled in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study.

METHODS

The Infant Aphakia Treatment Study is a randomized clinical trial in which the investigators compared intraocular lens (IOL) versus contact lens correction in 114 infants, aged 28 days to <7 months. A total of 83 videos were available for morphological analysis of cataract. Three examiners reviewed all surgical recordings and agreed on the cataract characteristics by using a score sheet to record the lens layer or configuration of the opacity.

RESULTS

Nuclear cataract was present in 45 of 83 eyes (54%). Posterior capsule plaque was observed in 73 eyes (88%). All eyes with fetal nuclear cataract had associated posterior capsule plaque. Cortical cataract without nuclear involvement was seen in 21 eyes (25%). Posterior bowing of the posterior capsule was noted in 4 eyes (5%). Evidence of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) was present in 18 eyes (22%). PFV was the only finding in 5 eyes but was also seen in combination with nuclear (7 eyes) and cortical cataracts (6 eyes). The entire lens was white in 3 eyes (4%), whereas the lens was partially resorbed in 7 (8%) eyes. Anterior capsule fibrosis was noted in 5 eyes with advanced cataract (1 with total cataract, 4 with partially resorbed lens).

CONCLUSIONS

Nuclear opacities were common, but many different cataract types presented in infancy. PFV occurred in isolation or in association with cataract. Posterior capsule plaque was frequently noted, especially when a nuclear cataract was present.

Cataract surgery in the first year of life: aphakic glaucoma and visual outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To report the incidence of aphakic glaucoma following lensectomy in infants in their first year of life and examine the impact of this diagnosis on visual outcome.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who had lensectomy for congenital cataract during the first year of life at British Columbia Children's Hospital between 1995 and 2006.

METHODS

Retrospective review of medical records.

RESULTS

Seventy-five eyes of 46 patients (29 bilateral, 17 unilateral) were included. The mean age at lensectomy was 93 days (range, 2-364 days) with a mean follow-up of 77.5 months (range, 36-166 months). Patients with bilateral cataracts had a better visual outcome than those with unilateral cataracts (p < 0.032). Of the patients with measurable visual acuity (VA), 34 of 45 eyes (75.6%) with bilateral cataracts and only 3 of 16 eyes (18.8%) with unilateral cataract achieved a VA of 20/40 or better. Eighteen of 75 eyes (24%) developed aphakic glaucoma at a mean of 30 months following lensectomy. Nine patients (50%) achieved final vision of 20/40 or better. The development of aphakic glaucoma was not associated with worse visual outcomes (p < 0.315). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at diagnosis was 28.6±5.9 mm Hg and mean final IOP was 14.1 ± 3.0 mm Hg, a significant reduction (p < 0.0001). Fifteen of 18 eyes with aphakic glaucoma (83.3%) required surgical intervention to achieve IOP control.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with aphakic glaucoma may have good visual outcomes if it is recognized early and managed appropriately. A significant proportion of patients required surgical intervention to control IOP.

Glaucoma following infantile cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To examine incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of glaucoma following infantile cataract extraction.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent cataract extraction between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2006, at the Children's Medical Center in Dallas.

RESULTS

Sixty-four eyes met inclusion criteria, of which 11 eyes (17.2%) developed glaucoma during a mean follow-up of 65.1 ± 4.3 months. Age younger than 3 months at cataract diagnosis (odds ratio 4.89, P = .05) or cataract extraction (odds ratio 4.4, P = .047) and the presence of anterior chamber anomalies (odds ratio 8.0, P = .01) were the only risk factors found to have statistical significance for the development of glaucoma. Eight of 11 eyes with glaucoma (72.2%) required at least one surgical intervention. Three of 10 eyes (30%) had a final best-corrected visual acuity below 20/400 and another 4 eyes (40%) demonstrated some degree of amblyopia.

CONCLUSION

Despite modern microsurgical techniques, infantile cataract surgery continues to pose a risk of secondary glaucoma. This was particularly true when cataract was diagnosed and/or extracted in patients younger than 3 months of age. Most eyes that developed glaucoma required surgical management and visual outcomes continue to be poor in this group.

Stability of visual outcome from 7 years in children treated surgically for bilateral dense congenital cataracts before 37 weeks of age

PURPOSE

To study the long-term visual outcome and the age at which final visual acuity can be predicted in a population sample of children treated surgically for bilateral dense congenital cataract before 37 weeks of age. In addition, we assessed the influence of associated risk factors and compared the visual development of these aphakic children with presumably blocked visual input before early surgery to that of normal children in Sweden.

METHODS

The 18 patients included were followed for at least 10 years postoperatively. The median age at last visit was 15.5 years (range 10-18). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested monocularly with a logarithmically scaled letter acuity test from 4 years of age to late teens. Other registered postoperative data were presence of manifest nystagmus, strabismus and complications.

RESULTS

The BCVA of the better-seeing eye reached a plateau at 7 years of age. Age at surgery of 80 days or less characterized the majority of cases with a logMAR ≤ 0.3 with a threshold effect between 80 and 130 days of age. Compared to normal children in Sweden, the long-term visual outcome showed a deficit of 0.5-0.6 logMAR.

CONCLUSION

In spite of optimized care and surgery before 9 months, the BCVA was subnormal in our population compared to healthy children. The long-term visual outcome can be predicted at 7 years of age. Screening with early detection followed by surgery before the end of the third month is important to decrease the risk of marked acuity loss.

Visual impairment and delay in presentation for surgery in chinese pediatric patients with cataract

PURPOSE

To report visual impairment and blindness and delay in presentation for surgery in Chinese pediatric patients with cataract.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 196 children (309 eyes) with congenital or developmental cataract.

METHODS

Surgery was performed in all patients. Visual impairment and blindness were defined as best-corrected visual acuity < 20/60. The characteristics, visual acuity, and time delay to surgery of these children were evaluated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of visual impairment and blindness, ages at disease recognition and at surgery, and duration of delay in presentation for surgery.

RESULTS

Visual acuity was 20/25 or better in 22 eyes (7.1%), between 20/25 and 20/40 in 72 eyes (23.3%), and between 20/40 and 20/60 in 87 eyes (28.2%). Visual impairment and blindness occurred in 41.4% of eyes, 52.0% of patients, 35.4% of patients with bilateral cataract, and 74.7% of patients with unilateral cataract. The frequency of visual impairment and blindness in eyes with combined nystagmus, combined strabismus, total cataract, nuclear cataract, and posterior polar cataract was 84.4%, 75%, 63.8%, 48%, and 48.3%, respectively. Severe postoperative complications resulted in 14.8% of visual impairment and blindness. The mean ages at disease recognition and at surgery were 22.6 ± 30.4 months and 68.3 ± 40.0 months, respectively. The mean delay of presentation for surgery was 49.6 ± 39.8 months in all patients and 35.7 ± 32.2 months in the patients with congenital cataract. The disease was recognized within 6 months of age in 46 children (40.7%) with bilateral cataract and 10 children (12.0%) with unilateral cataract. Among these children, only 18 (15.9%) with bilateral cataract and 1 (1.2%) with unilateral cataract underwent surgery between 3 and 6 months of age. No patients received surgical intervention within 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe visual impairment is common in pediatric patients with cataract in China. Delayed presentation to the hospital and late surgical treatment are the major reasons and deserve greater attention.

Outcome of angle surgery in children with aphakic glaucoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the outcome of trabeculotomy and/or goniotomy for pediatric aphakic glaucoma.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of consecutive children who had congenital cataract surgery between 1990 and 2006 and required goniotomy and/or trabeculotomy for aphakic glaucoma. Treatment success was defined as postoperative intraocular pressure of <or=24 mm Hg despite topical medication use, avoidance of trabeculectomy or shunt placement, and no visually significant complications in the follow-up period. Exclusion criteria included a diagnosis of anterior segment dysgenesis, microcornea, and glaucoma at the time of cataract surgery, and follow-up less than 1 year.

RESULTS

A total of 14 eyes of 11 patients met inclusion criteria, with a mean follow-up of 4.7 years. Of theses, 2 eyes had goniotomy alone, 3 eyes had goniotomy followed by trabeculotomy, and 9 eyes had trabeculotomy alone. Mean IOP before angle surgery was 35 +/- 10 mm Hg. Mean IOP at the last recorded visit was 22 +/- 4 mm Hg (p = 0.0005). Treatment success was observed in 8 of the 14 eyes (57.1%), with a mean number of angle procedures of 1.4 per eye: 6 eyes (42.8%) were successful after a single angle surgery, each involving an initial trabeculotomy; 3 eyes (21.4%) underwent subsequent shunt placement after initial goniotomy at 6 months, 1.3 years, and 5.5 years after the last angle surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

When intraocular surgery is indicated to control IOP in pediatric aphakic glaucoma, trabeculotomy and/or goniotomy can be successful in the majority of eyes and may decrease the need for filtering and shunting procedures.

The incidence of glaucoma following paediatric cataract surgery: a 20-year retrospective study

AIMS

To analyse the incidence of glaucoma in children undergoing cataract surgery and determine whether early surgery is associated with increased risk of glaucoma.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all children aged 14 years or less who had surgery for congenital or developmental cataract at one unit over the last 20 years. The children were divided into three groups; group 1 consisting of children aged < or =50 days at surgery, group 2 those aged 51 days to 1 year, and group 3 aged 1-14 years.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 104 eyes of 74 children. The medical records for 100 eyes (71 children) were available for review. In all, 17 eyes (12 children) were aged < or =50 days at surgery, none of which have developed glaucoma. Group 2 consisted of 28 eyes (17 children) with one patient developing glaucoma in both eyes 11 years after surgery. Group 3 consisted of 55 eyes (42 children), none of which have developed glaucoma. After a median follow-up period of 4.9 years (range 0.6-19.6 years, mean 6.4 +/- 5.2 years) 2% of eyes had developed glaucoma. There was no significant difference in the length of follow-up between groups (H=2.979, P=0.22, Kruskal-Wallis Test).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a low incidence of glaucoma in our series and this was not increased in those having surgery in the first 6 weeks of life. Our findings contribute further evidence for the variability in prevalence of glaucoma after paediatric cataract extraction in the literature and suggest that factors other than age at surgery are important risk factors for this condition.

Progression of a unilateral posterior lentiglobus associated with a persistent fetal vasculature stalk

An 8-month-old boy was found to have unilateral persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) and a small visually insignificant lens opacity. No changes were noted in the appearance of the eye on examinations up to age 3 years. At the age of 4 years, a posterior lentiglobus requiring surgical intervention developed. The thinned and bulging posterior capsule ruptured at surgery. PFV, when treated conservatively, has not been reported to lead to progressive lentiglobus. This case documents the rare concurrence of PFV and lentiglobus.