Pars plicata lensectomy/vitrectomy for developmental cataract extraction: surgical results.

Fifty-two cases of developmental cataracts extracted using the pars plicata lensectomy/vitrectomy technique were reviewed. Eyes with additional ocular anomaly other than microphthalmos were not included. No early complications were detected in a postoperative period ranging from 1.5 to 7 years with a median of 4 years, and late complications were limited to secondary membranes occurring in small eyes. Since secondary membranes occurred only in eyes in which the axial length was less than or equal to 17.4 mm and the corneal diameter was less than or equal to 9.5 mm, we suggest that eyes that are small by the absolute dimensions cited here are at greater risk of developing secondary membranes postoperatively. Small eyes by absolute dimensions should be distinguished from microphthalmic eyes, since the relative term microphthalmic is less predictive of risk of complication than are absolute dimensions. Linear Snellen acuity in 15 patients capable of response ranged as follows: 20/20-20/80 with a median of 20/40 in eyes with partial bilateral cataracts; 20/25-20/80 with a median of 20/50 in eyes with complete bilateral cataracts; 20/30-20/400 with a median of 20/200 in eyes with unilateral partial cataracts; and 20/60-CF with a median of 20/400 in eyes with complete unilateral cataracts. Mean patient ages at surgery were 3 months for those with bilateral complete cataracts, 5 months for those with unilateral complete cataracts, 18 months for those with bilateral partial cataracts, and 25 months for those with unilateral partial cataracts. The earliest possible removal of visually significant opacities must be combined with aggressive postoperative visual rehabilitation to obtain the best possible visual outcome.