Pseudophakia for traumatic cataracts in children.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the postoperative visual acuity, refractive error, intraocular pressure, and status of the posterior capsule in children with traumatic cataracts who undergo extracapsular cataract extraction and insertion of a posterior chamber lens.

METHODS

Extracapsular cataract extraction and primary endocapsular fixation of a posterior chamber lens implant were performed in eight children (age range, 4-17 years) with unilateral traumatic cataracts.

RESULTS

There were no intraoperative complications, and seven of eight eyes achieved 20/40 or greater spectacle visual acuity during an average follow-up interval of 10 months (range, 5-20 months). The average postoperative spherical equivalent refractive error was +0.33 diopter (D) (range, -2.25 to +2.12 D); the average postoperative anisometropia was approximately 1 D (range, 0-2.25 D). In one patient, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal endophthalmitis developed 10 days after surgery. In three eyes that had opacified posterior capsules, YAG laser capsulotomy was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary results suggest that intraocular lens (IOL) implantation may be a safe and effective method of optical correction for children with traumatic cataracts.