Visual recovery in unilateral traumatic pediatric cataracts treated with posterior chamber intraocular lens and anterior vitrectomy in Pakistan.

PURPOSE

To evaluate visual recovery in unilateral traumatic cataracts in children treated with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and anterior vitrectomy.

METHODS

Sixteen children with unilateral traumatic cataract between ages 3-10 years (mean, 5 years 8 months) were treated with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and anterior vitrectomy. Surgery was performed between 2 weeks and 7 months (mean, 7.75 weeks) after injury. Follow up was between 9 and 29 months (mean, 17.9 months).

RESULTS

The most common postoperative complication was fibrinous uveitis, which developed in 4 children (25%). All eyes had a clear visual axis postoperatively; none required capsulotomy. The mean postoperative refraction was +0.9 diopters (range, +3.50 to -2.75 diopters). Three eyes (18.75%) had visual acuity of 6/9, 8 eyes (50%) had visual acuity of 6/12 or better, and 11 eyes (68.75%) had visual acuity of 6/18 or better. The cause of poor visual acuity was cystoid macular edema in one eye, macular scars in two eyes, and amblyopia in one eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral traumatic cataracts in children in whom aphakia is corrected with posterior chamber lens implantation combined with anterior vitrectomy result in good visual outcome, and we recommend this treatment modality in traumatic cataract in children.