Visual results and postoperative complications of capsular bag and ciliary sulcus fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses in children with traumatic cataracts.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the visual results and postoperative complications of capsular bag and ciliary sulcus fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) for traumatic cataracts in children.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

METHODS

Twenty children (20 eyes) with traumatic cataracts had extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber IOL implantation. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Capsular bag fixation was performed in 10 children (Group A) and ciliary sulcus fixation in the other 10 (Group B). Traumatic cataracts associated with large corneal lacerations (10.0 mm or more), hyphema, angle recession, or posterior segment involvement were excluded. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as well as early and delayed postoperative complications were prospectively evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

The BCVA was 6/12 or better in 9 eyes (90%) in Group A and 8 eyes (80%) in Group B at the end of the mean follow-up (24.6 months +/- 10.6 [SD]). Amblyopia (1 eye in Group A) and corneal scar and commotio retinae (1 eye each in Group B) accounted for a visual acuity of worse than 6/12. The residual refractive error did not exceed 3.50 diopters in either group. The incidences of fibrinous anterior uveitis and pupillary capture were significantly higher in Group B (P < .05, Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSION

Capsular bag fixation of posterior chamber IOLs provided visual results similar to those with ciliary sulcus fixation but was associated with fewer postoperative complications, particularly uveitis and pupillary capture. This represents another important reason to attempt in-the-bag fixation in cases of traumatic cataract.