[Retrospective evaluation of ocular axial length after unilateral cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in children and adolescents].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the postoperative ocular axial length in children, who had unilateral cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this retrospective study we studied 20 children (12 boys and 8 girls) in age from 7 to 20 years (mean 14 +/- 3.65 years), who had undergone surgery for unilateral cataract: 8 children had congenital cataract; 7 patients had traumatic cataract; in 5 cases there were secondary cataract: 3 children had cataract after uveitis, in 1 child cataract was due to steroid therapy because of nephrotic syndrome and 1 patient had neurodermatic cataract. In 16 cases PMMA lens was used, heparinized lens was implanted in 3 eyes and acrylic lens in 1 eye. The power of implants was from + 19 D to +24 D (mean 20.98 +/- 1.6 D). All measurements of axial length were obtained using ultrasound A scan. Examination was done from 14 months to 7.5 years after surgery (mean 3.5 +/- 1.55 years). The axial length in the operated eyes was compared with axial length of the fellow nonoperated eyes.

RESULTS

Mean axial length in operated eyes was 22.58 +/- 1.56 mm. Mean axial length in fellow eyes was 22.96 +/- 1.42 mm. There were no significant differences between operated and nonoperated eyes (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation does not influence rate of axial growth in children and adolescents.