Factors Affecting Stereopsis After Pediatric Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate factors influencing stereoacuity outcomes after pediatric cataract surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 38 eyes of 22 patients who had undergone irrigation and aspiration of cataracts and primary posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation from February 1992 to July 2006. In all patients, stereoacuity was assessed with the Titmus stereo test. Patients were divided into two groups according to stereoacuity: group 1 (n=9) had a stereoacuity less than 100 sec/arc; group 2 (n=13) had a stereoacuity more than 100 sec/arc. Nine variables associated with stereoacuity were evaluated in each group. Results: Postoperative strabismus was the strongest factor influencing the stereoacuity level. Good postoperative mean visual acuity was related with good stereoacuity. Though mean visual acuity in two children with exodeviation over 30PD was 0.7 and 0.8, their stereoacuity was 400 sec/arc. Showing little difference in the spherical equivalent between the eyes was also related to good stereoacuity. Conclusions: Postoperative strabismus onset, postoperative mean visual acuity between the two eyes, and differences in the spherical equivalent were important factors influencing stereoacuity in patients after pediatric cataract surgery.