Visual Axis Opacification Research Articles

Commentary: Pediatric cataract management during the COVID-19 era.

Commentary: Pediatric cataract management during the COVID-19 era.

Management of Cataracts in Pediatric Patients with Developmental Delay at a Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital

Background: Childhood cataract causing visual impairment can compound developmental delay (DD) if left untreated. Current literature in children with DD is limited; thus, we evaluated cataract etiology, challenges, and treatment compliance in this group. Purpose: To report the presentation and challenges associated with cataract management in children with developmental delay (DD) at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Methods: Retrospective review of 100 patients (173 eyes) presenting with cataracts and DD from February 2014 to December 2017. Results: 100 patients (173 eyes) were included. 27 patients had unilateral cataracts and 73 bilateral. The average age was 120.55 months (SD 63.77, range 5.87 - 243.16); the average follow-up period was 57.7 months (SD 139.14, range 1.03 - 1412.30). 61% of patients (55% eyes) underwent medical management for cataracts due to: cataract was not visually significant (66% eyes), parent deferred surgery (11% eyes), self-abusive behavior (14% eyes), and medical conditions that limited visual recovery (9% eyes). 32% of patients were unable to perform objective visual acuity by age 5. Patients with self-abusive behavior were more likely to present with or develop retinal detachment (RD) (35%) compared to those without self-abusive behavior (6%) (p = 0.0028). A statistically significant difference in the difficulty of examination (p < 0.0001) and poor compliance of glasses wear (p < 0.0001) was found in nonverbal patients. Surgical complications occurred in 39% of eyes. Those with intraocular lens placement after cataract extraction were more likely to develop visual axis opacification (27% eyes) than those who remained aphakic (9% eyes) (p = 0.0313). Conclusion: Cataract extraction in pediatric patients with DD can be associated with success, however, providers should prepare for limitations in managing these patients.

Long-term results of in-the-bag primary intraocular lens implantation in children younger than 24 months.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety of primary intraocular lens implantation in a large number of eyes in children aged <24 months. The medical records of patients aged 5-24 months, who underwent primary intraocular lens implantation in the capsular bag, were reviewed. A foldable three-piece acrylic intraocular lens was implanted by the same surgeon using a single surgical technique. Patients who had <1 year of follow-up after the surgery were excluded. The main outcome measurements included visual acuity, myopic shift, follow-up complications, and additional surgeries. Sixty-eight patients (93 eyes) were analyzed. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 15.06 ± 6.19 months (range: 5-24 months), and the spherical equivalent 1 month after surgery was 3.62 ± 2.32 D. After 5.67 ± 3.10 years, the spherical equivalent was -0.09 ± 3.22 D, and the corrected distance visual acuity was 0.33 ± 0.33 and 0.64 ± 0.43 logMAR in bilateral and unilateral cases, respectively (p=0.000). The highest myopic shift was observed in infants who underwent surgery at ages 5 and 6 months. The most frequent complications included visual axis opacification and corectopia. Glaucoma and retinal detachment were not reported. Primary in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation in children aged 5-24 months is safe, and is associated with low rates of adverse events and additional surgery.

Comparison of polymethylmethacrylate versus hydrophobic acrylic lenses for primary intraocular lens implantation in pediatric cataract surgery

AIM: To compare the visual results and postoperative complications of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) in children who underwent cataract extraction with primary IOL implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 117 eyes of 63 children with bilateral pediatric cataract undergoing cataract surgery and primary IOL implantation. The patients were divided into two groups, Group I included 58 eyes of 30 patients with PMMA IOLs; Group II included 59 eyes of 33 patients with hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. The clinical features, refraction errors, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and surgical complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 5.8 (2-12)y and mean follow up period was 40.5 (6-196)mo. Postoperatively, BCVA was ≥0.5 in 80 eyes (68.4%) and this was comparable in two groups. Visual axis opacification was seen in 28 eyes (48.3%) in Group I and 16 eyes (27.1%) in Group II and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.018). Postoperative IOL dislocation and posterior synechia formation were also noted. When all postoperative complications were considered, there were significantly less complications in the acrylic IOL group than PMMA IOL group (P=0.020). CONCLUSION: Pediatric cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation is a safe procedure. Hydrophobic acrylic IOLs may lead to less postoperative complications compared to PMMA IOLs.

Management of Aphakia with Visual Axis Opacification after Congenital Cataract Surgery Based on UBM Image Features Analysis.

Objective The purpose of this study was to study the imaging features of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in the aphakia with visual axis opacification (VAO) after congenital cataract surgery. Methods From May 2015 to May 2018, aphakia patients with VAO who underwent congenital cataract surgery were examined by high-resolution bag/balloon UBM technique, and the results of UBM imaging were analyzed. According to UBM imaging features, different types of VAO were classified. Results A total of 38 children (55 eyes) with VAO were included. 17 patients were bilateral, and 21 patients were unilateral. Patients with VAO were classified into 3 groups according to the UBM imaging features: membranous fibrosis VOA (17 cases, 28 eyes), cortical regeneration VOA (15 cases, 20 eyes), and mixed VOA (6 cases, 7 eyes). The patients in the membranous fibrosis group underwent Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, those in the cortical regeneration group underwent anterior vitrectomy, and those in the mixed type group underwent anterior vitrectomy with RF capsulotomy tip. After surgery, VAO were removed in all patients. During the follow-up period, in the membranous fibrotic VAO group, iris adhesion and pupillary occlusion were found in 2 eyes, and anterior vitrectomy combined with separation of iris adhesion was performed. In cortical regenerative and mixed type VAO groups, anterior vitrectomy was performed without opacity in the axial region. The total recurrence rate of VAO was 3.46%. Conclusion After congenital cataract surgery, the UBM imaging features of aphakia with VAO are helpful to evaluate the condition of VAO before reoperation so as to choose the optimal surgical method to achieve better therapeutic effect.

Outcomes of Bilateral Cataract Surgery in Infants 7 to 24 Months of Age Using the Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Treatment Study Registry

To evaluate outcomes of bilateral cataract surgery in children aged 7 to 24 months and compare rates of adverse events (AEs) with other Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Study (TAPS) registry outcomes. Retrospective clinical study at 10 Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) sites. Statistical analyses comparing this cohort with previously reported TAPS registry cohorts. Children enrolled in the TAPS registry between 2004 and2010. Children underwent bilateral cataract surgery with or without intraocular lens (IOL) placement at age 7 to 24 months with 5 years of postsurgical follow-up. Visual acuity (VA), occurrence of strabismus, AEs, and reoperations. A total of 40 children (76 eyes) who underwent bilateral cataract surgery with primary posterior capsulectomy were identified with a median age at cataract surgery of 11 months (7-23); 68% received a primary IOL. Recurrent visual axis opacification (VAO) occurred in 7.5% and was associated only with the use of an IOL (odds ratio, 6.10; P= 0.005). Glaucoma suspect (GS) was diagnosed in 2.5%, but no child developed glaucoma. In this bilateral cohort, AEs (8/40, 20%), including glaucoma or GS and VAO, and reoperations occurred in a similar proportion to that of the published unilateral TAPS cohort. When analyzed with children aged 1 to 7 months at bilateral surgery, the incidence of AEs and glaucoma or GS correlated strongly with age at surgery (P=0.011/0.004) and glaucoma correlated with microcornea (P= 0.040) but not with IOL insertion (P= 0.15). Follow-up to age 5 years after bilateral cataract surgery in children aged 7 to 24 months reveals a low rate of VAO and very rare glaucoma or GS diagnosis compared with infants with cataracts operated at < 7 months of age despite primary IOL implantation in most children in the group aged 7 to 24 months. The use of an IOL increases the risk of VAO irrespective of age at surgery.

Cataract surgery in treated retinoblastoma eyes: A study of 29 eyes.

To study the outcomes of cataract surgery in treated retinoblastoma (RB) eyes. Retrospective study of 29 eyes of 27 patients. Based on International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma, tumors belonged to group B (n = 3, 10%), C (n = 1, 4%), D (n = 10, 34%), and E (n = 3, 10%). The remaining 12 eyes (41%) had regressed tumors on presentation due to prior treatment. The RB treatment details included intravenous chemotherapy (n = 24, 83%), external beam radiotherapy (n = 14, 48%), and others. The mean time interval between tumor regression and cataract surgery was 51 months (median, 26 months; range, 6-245 months). The post-operative visual acuity was 20/200 or better in 12 (41%) eyes. Overall, 16 (55%) eyes displayed improvement of vision post-cataract surgery, while 13 (45%) eyes had no improvement in vision. The complications of cataract surgery included visual axis opacification (n = 15, 52%), pupillary membrane (n = 4, 14%), hyphema (n = 1, 3%), and extraocular tumor extension (n = 1, 3%). Clearer fundus view post-surgery revealed underlying tumor edge recurrence in 1 (3%) eye, and two (7%) patients had tumor recurrence at a mean interval of 8 months (median, 8 months; range, 7-8 months) following cataract extraction. Globe salvage was achieved in 26 (90%) eyes over a mean follow-up period of 103 months (median, 91 months; range, 19-267 months). Cataract surgery in treated RB is safe with vision salvage in 55% eyes and globe salvage in 90% eyes. Though there is a risk of extraocular tumor extension, its occurrence is rare (3%).

Preliminary clinical observations of the effect of posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with intraocular lens optic capture in the treatment of pediatric cataract

Objective: To observe the preliminary clinical effect of intraocular lens optic capture through posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis in the treatment of pediatric cataract. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Forty-three eyes of 28 children underwent posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with posterior chamber intraocular lens optic capture to treat cataract from June 2017 to October 2018 in Qingdao Eye Hospital. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity, diopters, intraocular pressure, the position of intraocular lens, and postoperative complications were assessed. The distribution of preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity was analyzed by Fisher's exact probability test. Results: Twenty-eight patients were 14 females and 14 males aged from 2 years old to 12 years old [mean age, (7±4) years]. All intraocular lenses were successfully captured in the posterior capsule. Patients were followed-up for 6.0 to 12.0 months (mean, 8.4 months). Except 2 eyes from one uncooperative child, the distribution of preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (<0.1, 0.1-<0.3, 0.3-<0.5, ≥0.5) had a significant difference (17, 17, 4, 3 eyes vs. 4, 4, 5, 28 eyes, P<0.01). At the last postoperative follow-up visit, the mean spherical equivalent was (0.21±0.74) D. Transient intraocular hypertension occurred in 3 eyes at 1 week after surgery and was controlled with stopping the use of corticosteroid eyedrops. No visual axis opacification or intraocular lens decentration or tilt was observed during the follow-up period. No other complications such as iris synechia, secondary glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cystoid macular edema were observed. Conclusions: Posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with intraocular lens optic capture is a safe and effective technique to treat pediatric cataract. It has a significant effect on the prevention of visual axis opacification after cataract surgery in children. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 343-348).

Globe Axial Length Growth at Age 10.5 Years in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study

To report the change in globe axial length (AL) from the time of unilateral cataract surgery at age 1-7months to age 10.5 years for infants enrolled in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study, and to compare AL growth of operated eyes with that of fellow unoperated eyes. Comparative case series. AL growth was analyzed relative to treated vs fellow eye, contact lens (CL) vs intraocular lens (IOL), visual acuity (VA) outcome, and the need for surgery for visual axis opacification. Eyes with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were excluded from the primary analysis but reported separately. Fifty-seven patients have reliable AL data available at both visits. AL was shorter in treated eyes preoperatively (P < .0001) and at 10.5 years of age (P= .021) but AL growth was not different (4.7mm, P= .99). The growth (70.2% up to age 5 and 29.8% from age 5 to 10.5) was similar in the CL and the IOL group (P= .79). Eyes grew 4.4mm when visual acuity (VA) was better than 20/200, and 5.2mm when VA was 20/200 or worse (P= .076). Eyes receiving additional surgery grew more than eyes not receiving additional surgery (P= .052). Patients with glaucoma showed significantly more eye growth (7.3mm) than those without glaucoma (4.7mm) and glaucoma suspects (5.1mm) (P < .05). Eyes with glaucoma or poor VA often grew longer than the fellow eye. Overall, treated eyes grew similarly in the IOL and CL groups and also kept pace with the growth of the fellow eyes.

Visual Axis Opacity after Intraocular Lens Implantation in Children in the First 2 Years of Life: Findings from the IoLunder2 Cohort Study

Appropriate correction of aphakia is key to good outcomes. There may be clinical settings where and populations in whom accessing or managing aphakic contact lenses is challenging. Strategies to target the increased risk of visual axis opacity (VAO) after primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in infancy are necessary. We describe the predictors of VAO after primary IOL implantation for unilateral or bilateral congenital or infantile cataract in children younger than 2 years of age. Population-based (United Kingdom and Ireland), prospective, inception cohort study undertaken through a national clinical network. A total of 105 children (57 with bilateral cataract, 48 with unilateral cataract, total 162 eyes) undergoing primary IOL implantation in the first 2 years of life between January 2009 and December2010. Observational longitudinal study with multilevel, multivariable modeling to investigate associations between outcome of interest and child- and treatment-specific factors, including age, axial length, socioeconomic status, IOL model, and postoperative steroid use. Postoperative proliferative or inflammatory visual axis opacity (VAO) requiring surgical correction. Visual axis opacity occurred in 67 eyes (45%), typically within the first postoperative year. Use of a 3-piece IOL model (odds ratio [OR], 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.99, P= 0.03) and increasing age at surgery (OR, 0.97, 95% CI, 0.95-0.99, P= 0.02) were each independently protective against the development of proliferative VAO. Inflammatory VAO was independently associated with socioeconomic deprivation (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 1.46-19.89; P= 0.01). Visual axis opacification is common after IOL implantation in early childhood. The findings of this prospective cohort study suggest that the use of 3-piece IOL models may reduce the risk of pseudophakic VAO in children younger than 2 years of age.

Surgical Outcomes of Nontraumatic Pediatric Cataracts

Purpose: To evaluate post-surgical complications in patients who were operated for nontraumatic pediatric cataracts in our clinic. Methods: Medical records of 62 patients (101 eyes) that underwent cataract surgery younger than 15 years of age, without history of ocular trauma and with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The most common initial complaint was leukocoria. Thirty-nine patients (62.9%) had bilateral cataracts and 23 patients (37.1%) had unilateral cataracts. The most common type was posterior polar cataract (22%) in patients with unilateral cataracts, and total cataract (33%) in patients with bilateral cataracts. The overall prevalence of postoperative complications was 58%, visual axis opacification (VAO) being the most common one (39%). The incidence of VAO was significantly higher in eyes with intact posterior capsules. Secondary glaucoma occurred in 12 (12%) eyes. Thirty-one (50%) patients were orthophoria, 17 (27%) patients had esotropia, and 14 (23%) patients had exotropia. Additional surgery for all of these complications was performed in 53 (53%) eyes. Conclusions: Despite appropriate surgical treatment of nontraumatic pediatric cataracts, post-surgical complications including VAO, glaucoma, or strabismus remain an important cause of morbidity in these patients. Posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy must be performed in all children below 6 years to reduce the need for additional surgery for VAO.

Novel Technique of Pneumatic Posterior Capsulorhexis for Treatment and Prevention of Posterior Capsular Opacification.

Purpose To evaluate a new technique of posterior capsulorhexis using air support to treat primary posterior capsular opacification (PCO) during cataract extraction surgery or to prevent postoperative PCO. Setting (1) Ophthalmology department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, 61519, El-Minia, Egypt. (2) Security Forces Hospital, Ophthalmology Department, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Design Prospective, randomized, consecutive case comparative non controlled study. Methods One hundred eyes of 100 patients with a mean age of 63.3 years with dense cataract were enrolled in the study. Fifty of them (group (1)) were with primary PCO (discovered during the operations) and fifty (group (2)) with clear posterior capsule. All of the patients underwent phacoemulsification and posterior capsulorhexis using the air to support the posterior capsule. Then, IOL implantations were done between the anterior and posterior capsular rims. Postoperatively, each patient was evaluated for the following: visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), intraocular pressure, intraocular lens (IOL) stability, visual axis opacification, and posterior segment complications as retinal breaks, retinal detachment, or cystoid macular edema (CME). Results There were no significant differences in UCVA, BCVA, and MRSE. All cases had a clear visual axis, with stable IOL and normal IOP during the follow-up period without posterior segment complications. The VA improved significantly throughout the follow-up periods in both groups without significant clinical difference. Conclusion Pneumatic posterior capsulorhexis is a new effective technique for the treatment of primary PCO in dense cataract and for prevention of postoperative PCO with the good visual outcomes and minimal complications. This trial is registered with NCT04007965.

Outcomes of Bilateral Cataracts Removed in Infants 1 to 7 Months of Age Using the Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Treatment Study Registry

To evaluate outcomes of bilateral cataract surgery in infants 1 to 7 months of age performed by Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) investigators during IATS recruitment and to compare them with IATS unilateral outcomes. Retrospective case series review at 10 IATS sites. The Toddler Aphakia and Pseudophakia Study (TAPS) is a registry of children treated by surgeons who participated in the IATS. Children underwent bilateral cataract surgery with or without intraocular lens (IOL) placement during IATS enrollment years 2004 through2010. Visual acuity (VA), strabismus, adverse events (AEs), and reoperations. One hundred seventy-eight eyes (96 children) were identified with a median age of 2.5 months (range, 1-7 months) at the time of cataract surgery. Forty-two eyes (24%) received primary IOL implantation. Median VA of the better-seeing eye at final study visit closest to 5 years of age with optotype VA testing was 0.35 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; optotype equivalent, 20/45; range, 0.00-1.18 logMAR) in both aphakic and pseudophakic children. Corrected VA was excellent (<20/40) in 29% of better-seeing eyes, 15% of worse-seeing eyes. One percent showed poor acuity (≥20/200) in the better-seeing eye, 12% in the worse-seeing eye. Younger age at surgery and smaller (<9.5 mm) corneal diameter at surgery conferred an increased risk for glaucoma or glaucoma suspect designation (younger age: odds ratio [OR], 1.44; P= 0.037; and smaller cornea: OR, 3.95; P= 0.045). Adverse events also were associated with these 2 variables on multivariate analysis (younger age: OR, 1.36; P= 0.023; and smaller cornea: OR, 4.78; P= 0.057). Visual axis opacification was more common in pseudophakic (32%) than aphakic (8%) eyes (P= 0.009). Unplanned intraocular reoperation occurred in 28% of first enrolled eyes (including glaucoma surgery in 10%). Visual acuity after bilateral cataract surgery in infants younger than 7 months is good, despitefrequent systemic and ocular comorbidities. Although aphakia management did not affect VA outcome or AE incidence, IOL placement increased the risk of visual axis opacification. Adverse events and glaucoma correlated with a younger age at surgery and glaucoma correlated with the presence of microcornea.

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

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. 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. 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). 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.

Congenital Cataract Surgery: Our Four Years’ Experience in Prince Hamza Hospital (Amman-Jordan)

PURPOSE: The study has examined the problems encountered during management of cataract surgery during clinical practice within a developing country. &#x0D; &#x0D; METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by recruiting patients with the diagnosis of congenital cataract operated between 2011 and 2014. Intraocular lens was implanted, when the corneal diameter was 10 mm or more, which approximately corresponded to the capsular bag diameter, regardless of the patients&amp;rsquo; age. &#x0D; &#x0D; RESULTS: The results showed that 13 were aphakic and none of them developed visual axis opacification. Eleven out of the 49 pseudophakic patients needed 2 or more surgeries to clear visual axis opacification; whereas, 25 out of 49 pseudophakic patients received hydrophobic intraocular lens. However, 3 of them (12%) developed visual axis opacification. The remaining 24 patients received hydrophilic intraocular lens, where 8 of them (33%) developed visual axis opacification. There was increased incidence of visual axis opacification as a result of pseudophakia that required a second surgery, which delayed their visual rehabilitation. &#x0D; &#x0D; CONCLUSION: Hydrophobic intraocular lenses are better used because of their lower risk to induce visual axis opacification.

Comparison of different surgical approaches for pediatric cataracts: complications and rates of additional surgery during long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVES:To compare long-term postoperative complications of pediatric cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation associated with posterior capsulotomy (PC) and anterior vitrectomy (AV) between patients treated with a corneal or pars plicata/pars plana approach.METHODS:Children who underwent cataract surgery with in-the-bag primary IOL implantation were divided into two groups according to PC and AV surgical approach: a corneal approach (group 1) and a pars plicata/pars plana approach (group 2). Only patients with a follow-up duration of more than two years were included. Long-term surgical outcomes were retrospectively reported.RESULTS:The mean follow-up period was 10.00±3.13 years. No cases of glaucoma or retinal detachment were reported. The mean age at surgery was 34.57±22.66 months. Forty-six children were included (27 eyes in group 1 and 29 eyes in group 2). The most frequent postoperative complication was corectopia, followed by visual axis opacification. Both complications occurred more frequently in group 1 (p<0.001). After cataract surgery, the rate of additional surgeries in group 1 was 51.9%, while in group 2, the rate was 27.6% (p=0.1132).CONCLUSION:The pars plicata/pars plana approach with PC and vitrectomy with primary in-the-bag IOL implantation for pediatric cataracts is a safe procedure.

Twenty-three-gauge pars plana approach versus limbal approach for removal of congenital cataracts

Purpose To compare the 23-G vitrectomy system via pars plana approach with the limbal approach for the management of congenital cataract in Egyptian infants attending Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Delta, Egypt. Patients and methods A total of 30 eyes of 21 infants with congenital cataract who attended Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Egypt, were included. They were sorted out into two groups; each included 15 eyes. Group I underwent pars plana approach and group II underwent anterior limbal approach for phacoaspiration, posterior capsulorhexis, and anterior vitrectomy. Postoperative examination and follow-up results were recorded. Results There was significant statistical increase in mean duration of surgery in group I (59.27±12.69) than group II (39.93±9.04), with P value less than or equal to 0.001. There was no significant statistical difference in intraocular pressure values at preoperative period, at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively in the studied groups .There was no significant statistical difference in the incidence of visual axis opacification, secondary glaucoma, anterior chamber reaction, capsular phimosis, and wound leak between the two groups. However, there was a significant statistical increase in the incidence of preretinal hemorrhage in group I (26.7%, n=4) when compared with group II (0%, n=0), with P value of 0.032. There was no significant statistical difference in the incidence of secondary glaucoma during a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion Posterior approach and anterior approach can be used safely for infantile cataract, and the application of the technique depends on surgeon experience and skills.

Efficacy and safety of vitrectomy for congenital cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized and controlled trials.

PurposeTo explore the effectiveness and safety of vitrectomy for congenital cataract surgery.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Science Direct, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Wanfang Database. Two researchers extracted data and assessed paper quality independently. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) or visual axis opacification (VAO), reoperation rate, visual acuity, intraocular lenses (IOL) deposit, synechias, uveitis, secondary glaucoma, low‐contrast sensitivity and IOL decentration were compared.ResultsWe included 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 634 congenital cataract eyes. Cases of posterior capsule opacification in vitrectomy group were significantly less than that of control group, with risk ratio (RR) of 0.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09, 0.26], and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.94). Reoperation rate in vitrectomy group was lower than that of control group either (RR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.17, 0.94), and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.85). Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured in LogMAR unit of vitrectomy group was smaller, with a mean difference (MD) of −0.17 (95%CI: −0.28, −0.05), and I 2 was only 22%, indicating of a small heterogeneity. No statistical difference was found between two groups on IOL deposit (RR = 1.23, 95%CI: 0.70, 2.17), and the heterogeneity was small (I 2 = 16%, p = 0.31). No statistical difference was found between two groups on synechias (RR = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.60, 1.94), with a quite small heterogeneity (I 2 = 3%, p = 0.38). No statistical difference was found between two groups on uveitis (RR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.15, 2.01), and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.94). There was no statistical difference on IOP either, with a MD of 0.25 (95%CI: −1.56, 2.07), and there was no heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%). Egger's test showed that there was no publication bias for all assessed outcomes. Low‐contrast sensitivity was better in the vitrectomy group. And no evidence indicated vitrectomy could lead to a higher risk on secondary glaucoma or IOL decentration.ConclusionVitrectomy helps lower the PCO risk and reoperation risk after congenital cataract surgery, and also, vitrectomy helps patients gain a better BCVA and achieve a better low‐contrast sensitivity, with no trade‐off on IOP control, IOL deposit, synechias, uveitis and secondary glaucoma. We recommend performing vitrectomy during congenital cataract surgery.

5-year outcomes after primary intraocular lens implantation in children aged 2 years or younger with congenital or infantile cataract: findings from the IoLunder2 prospective inception cohort study

International initiatives to prevent childhood blindness have highlighted the importance of early, effective intervention for congenital and infantile cataract. In the UK, intraocular lens implantation has been widely adopted by surgeons to treat these conditions. However, evidence about the benefits and risks of this technique in different age groups is limited. The IoLunder2 study assessed outcomes following primary intraocular lens implantation in children aged 2 years and younger with congenital or infantile cataract. The IoLunder2 study was a prospective observational cohort study done at 31 sites in the UK and Ireland. Eligible children were aged 2 years or younger who had cataract surgery concurrently with intraocular lens implantation or conventional treatment (aphakic correction with contact lenses or glasses) after cataract surgery between Jan 1, 2009, and Dec 31, 2010. Children with significant ocular comorbidity precluding lens implantation, defined by the presence of complex persistent fetal vasculature, other ocular structural anomalies, severe microcornea (horizontal corneal diameter <9·5 mm), or severe microphthalmos (axial length <16 mm), were excluded from the analysis of the key outcomes. Postoperative visual rehabilitation was assessed at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery with a 4m logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) notation test. Best corrected visual outcome (acuity) overall was assessed 5 years after surgery for children with bilateral and unilateral cataract. We also used multivariable logistic and linear regression to model the association between intraocular lens implantation and outcomes of interest (vision, glaucoma, and visual axis opacity). A total of 256 eligible children were recruited; two had incomplete data and were excluded. 158 of the 254 included children (102 [65%] with bilateral cataract and 56 [35%] with unilateral cataract) had no significant ocular morbidity and were analysed for the key outcomes. Primary intraocular lens implantation was done in 88 (56%) of 158 children (50 children with bilateral cataract and 38 children with unilateral cataract). 70 (44%) of 158 children had conventional treatment (52 with bilateral cataract and 18 with unilateral cataract). Overall median visual acuity at 5 years was 0·34 logMAR (IQR 0·20-0·54) for children with bilateral cataract and 0·70 logMAR (IQR 0·3-1·3) in the operated eye for children with unilateral cataract. Primary intraocular lens implantation was not associated with better visual outcome than conventional treatment in children with bilateral cataract (adjusted coefficient -0·1, 95% CI -0·5 to 0·3, p=0·48) or unilateral cataract (adjusted coefficient -0·3, -0·6 to 0·2, p=0·36), or reduced incidence of postoperative glaucoma in children with bilateral cataract (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·5, 0·10 to 1·80, p=0·28), but was associated with a five times higher risk of reoperation for visual axis opacity requiring general anaesthesia in children with bilateral cataract (adjusted OR 5·94, 95% CI 2·14-16·47, p=0·001) and a 20 times higher risk in children with unilateral cataract (20·15, 3·01-134·00, p=0·001). The findings of this cohort study indicate that intraocular lens implantation does not confer better vision or protection against postoperative glaucoma, and conversely increases the risk of requiring early reoperation in children younger than 2 years with bilateral or unilateral cataract. The routine use of intraocular lens implantation in this age group cannot be recommended. National Institute for Health Research, Ulverscroft Foundation, and the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Persistent Fetal Vasculature With Elongated Ciliary Processes in Children

Outcomes and reoperation rates in infants with unilateral persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) with elongated or stretched ciliary processes have not been extensively studied and were excluded from the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS). The purpose of this study is to analyze the preoperative measurements, reoperation rates, and complications after surgery in unilateral anterior PFV with stretched processes. Retrospective case series. Inclusion criteria consisted of unilateral cataract surgery prior to 7months of age and anterior PFV with elongated ciliary processes. Eyes with posterior retinal involvement and less than 6months of follow-up were excluded. All patients underwent lensectomy, posterior capsulectomy, and vitrectomy. Eleven eyes of 11 patients were included. Patients had a mean age at surgery of 2.4 ± 1.4months. Average follow-up was 4.5 ± 3.7years. Globe axial lengths were 18.6 ± 1.9mm. Ten patients (91%) were initially left aphakic. Three patients (27%) later received a secondary intraocular lens (IOL), and 1 patient underwent an IOL exchange. Six out of 10 (60%) aphakic patients developed visual axis opacification. One aphakic patient required topical therapy for glaucoma. One additional patient developed neovascular glaucoma and retinal detachment. The eye was subsequently enucleated. Three patients underwent strabismus surgery. Two patients underwent pupilloplasty. Two patients (18.2%) had a final visual acuity better than 20/200. Eyes operated for PFV with elongated ciliary processes are unlikely to have a final visual acuity greater than 20/200 and many will need additional surgery. Postoperative visual axis opacification occurred in 60% and glaucoma developed in 18%.