Phacoemulsification With Intraocular Lens Implantation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract

To evaluate outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children and adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. Charts of 7 patients (10 eyes) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis who had phacoemulsification cataract surgery between December 2002 and March 2005 were analyzed. Ten eyes of 7 patients had phacoemulsification with IOL implantation done by a single surgeon. A heparin surface modified IOL was used in 7 eyes and a foldable acrylic IOL was used in 3 eyes. At final follow-up, 70% of eyes had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better and 30% had improved visual acuity to 20/60. Posterior capsular opacification was found in 2 eyes and anterior capsular fibrosis in 1 eye. Keys to success following cataract surgery in juvenile idiopathic arthritis are the age of the child, the absence of amblyopia, and strict preoperative and postoperative control of inflammation.