Long-term results after primary intraocular lens implantation in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis–associated uveitis

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcome after cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens implantation in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis–associated uveitis. Methods: The medical records of all 24 children (34 eyes) with chronic juvenile idiopathic arthritis–associated uveitis who underwent cataract surgery between 1990 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Primary intraocular lens implantation was performed in all patients. Results: Median age at diagnosis of uveitis in the first eye was 5.3 years (range: 2.7–9.4 years) and median age at the time of cataract surgery in the first eye was 9.7 years (range: 4.1–16.9 years). Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 1 to 23.1 years, with a median of 10.9 years. Best corrected visual acuity at the last follow-up was good (⩾20/40) in 65% of the eyes. Postoperatively, glaucoma developed in 8 eyes (24%), posterior capsular opacification and secondary membrane formation requiring surgery in 15 eyes (44%), macular oedema in 5 eyes (15%) and phthisis in 2 eyes (6%). Conclusion: This study shows a favourable visual outcome in most of the cases. Primary intraocular lens implantation may be considered in juvenile idiopathic arthritis–associated uveitis complicated by cataract in patients with well-controlled inflammation.