Pseudophakia and polypseudophakia in the first year of life

Abstract

Purpose: To report a consecutive series of patients undergoing intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the first year of life. A new procedure, referred to as temporary polypseudophakia, is reported. Methods: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted. Ocular growth and refractive change, complications and reoperation rates, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Forty-seven eyes of 33 patients underwent IOL implantation in the first year of life. Average follow-up was 22 months (range, 7 weeks to 5 years). Thirty-two eyes of 22 patients had a single IOL implanted from 12 days to 11 months of age. Fifteen eyes of 11 infants received piggyback IOLs from 16 days to 6.8 months of age. Reoperation for complications within the anterior segment of the eye was needed in 23% of all patients (22% for single IOLs, 26% for piggyback IOLs). The average first postoperative refraction after single IOL was +7.98 D and after piggyback IOL was +1.67 D. The average last postoperative refraction was +1.76 D and −4.48 D, respectively. On average, eyes grew 2.68 mm over 17.5 months of follow-up. Eight patients were old enough for Snellen visual acuity, but each had deprivation amblyopia with visual acuities from 20/85 to 5/200. Of the remaining 25 patients, 17 had central, steady, and maintained fixation in the implanted eyes. Conclusion: IOL implantation in infancy is technically feasible and associated with a reoperation rate of approximately 25% in the first 2 years after implantation. Further follow-up is required before meaningful visual acuity data and long-term results can be reported. (J AAPOS 2001;5:238-45)