Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure changes after congenital cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in children younger than 2 years

Abstract

To evaluate the change in central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) preoperatively to postoperatively in children younger than 2years of age having surgery with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for congenital cataract. Tertiary care institute, Chandigarh, India. Prospective case series. Children younger than 2years old who had phacoaspiration with IOL implantation were studied. The preoperative pachymetry and IOP were compared with the postoperative values at 3months, 6months, and 12months. Pachymetry was measured using an ultrasound pachymeter and IOP with a handheld Perkins applanation tonometer. Thirty-one patients (aged 3 to 24months) were analyzed. There were 24 bilateral cases and 7 unilateral cases. The CCT increased significantly from a preoperative value of 529.84μm±11.7 (SD) to apostoperative value of 553±15.5μm at 1year (P=.022). Themean increase in CCT was 23.16μm and in IOP, 2.59mm Hg. The change in CCT correlated with the change in IOP at 1year (P=.011). After cataract surgery, the CCT in pediatric eyes increased significantly. The CCT values were an important consideration in the measurement of IOP in children younger than 2years having cataract extraction with primary IOL implantation.