Congenital Cataract Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis of 62 Patients in a Developing Country

Purpose. This study was aimed at describing our experience in congenital cataract surgery in a developing Country. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in Amman, Jordan. The patients who were diagnosed with congenital cataract and underwent the surgery were included in the study. It was decided to use an intraocular lens if the corneal diameter was more than 10 millimeters. Results. The findings revealed that around 13 of the patients did not have any visual axis opacification, indicating that they were aphakic. Visual axis opacification was seen in 8 out of the total sample of participants. Eleven patients with obvious opacification of the visual axis were found to be pseudophakic after at least two procedures and were thus cleared. It was necessary to do a second surgery to rectify the visual axis opacification induced by pseudophakia, which was putting the patient’s ability to recuperate at danger. Three of them (or 12 percent) exhibited visual axis opacification, which is a rare occurrence. The intraocular lenses used in the remaining 24 patients were constructed of hydrophilic plastic. Conclusion. Patients are less prone to have visual axis opacification while implanted by hydrophobic intraocular lenses is something they should consider.

Study on the enlargement index of femtosecond laser-assisted capsulorhexis in 2–6-year-old patients with congenital cataract

Background To identify the capsule enlargement index after femtosecond laser-assisted anterior capsulorhexis in 2–6-year-old children who underwent congenital cataract surgery. Methods In this prospective case series study, femtosecond laser-assisted anterior capsulorhexis was performed in patients with congenital cataract, aged 2–6 years. The actual achieved capsulorhexis diameters were measured with Digimizer version 4.2.6. Correlation coefficient (r) and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the variables that could potentially influence anterior capsulorhexis enlargement index (E). Results This prospective study enrolled 28 eyes of 22 patients with congenital cataract. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 4.67 years ±1.54 (standard deviation [SD]). “E” of the 28 cases was 1.211 ± 0.039 (SD). Correlation analysis showed that “E” correlated significantly with the anterior chamber depth (ACD) (r = − 0.469, p = 0.021) and axial length (AL) (r = 0.452, p = 0.027). The following formula was developed by using multivariable linear regression analysis: Predicted E = 1.177–0.052 × ACD + 0.009 × AL, R2 = 0.346 (F = 4.396, p = 0.046). Conclusions The anterior capsulorhexis enlargement index and its calculation formula could help to set up an accurate programmed capsulorhexis diameter for femtosecond laser-assisted congenital cataract surgery in children aged 2–6 years. Thus, an appropriate actual capsulorhexis diameter could be achieved.

The Influence of Congenital Cataract Surgery on the Ocular Surface in a Six-Month Follow-Up Prospective Clinical Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in tear film function and meibomian gland function in children after congenital cataract surgery.Methods: This study enrolled 21 eyes of 16 congenital cataract patients (mean age: 8.05±1.43 years) who underwent cataract surgery and 16 eyes of 16 normal volunteers (mean age: 8.31±2.18 years). Clinical assessments were conducted preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Symptom questionnaires, non-invasive tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, corneal fluorescein staining, lid margin abnormality, meibomian gland expressibility, and meibography were assessed.Results: The ocular symptom score was significantly higher in congenital cataract patients compared to normal controls during the 5 visits (P=0.009). And the average non-invasive tear film break-up time was significantly lower in congenital cataract patients compared to normal controls (P=0.017). The first non-invasive tear film break-up time and average non-invasive tear film break-up time was lowest at 1 month postoperatively compared to baseline levels (P = 0.008 and P = 0.012, respectively). The lid margin score of the upper eyelid was significantly higher in congenital cataract patients compared to normal controls at 1 week postoperatively (P=0.027). The meibum expressibility score decreased significantly during the 5 visits (P=0.024). No significant difference was observed in meibomian gland tortuosity, meibomian gland width, meibomian gland area and meibomian gland length between the congenital group and normal controls preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively (P>0.05).Conclusion:Tear film stability and meibomian gland function are worsened transiently after congenital cataract surgery without accompanying meibomian gland morphological changes.

The effect of retaining intact posterior capsule in congenital cataract surgery in children aged 4–8 years

Background The present study sought to observe the effect of retaining intact posterior capsule in congenital cataract surgery in children aged 4–8 years. Methods This is a retrospective case control study. Seventy-seven children (130 eyes) aged from 4 to 8 years who underwent cataract surgery were divided into two groups. In Group A, 50 eyes underwent phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and posterior capsule capsulotomy combined with anterior vitrectomy. In Group B, 80 eyes underwent cataract phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The postoperative visual acuity and the rate of complications were compared. Results In all patients, cataract surgeries were performed evenly without intraoperative complications. The follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 42 months. No apparent visual axis opacity was detected in group A during the follow-up. By the last visit, apparent visual axis opacity was detected in 31 eyes (38.75%) in group B. Among them, 9 eyes (29.03%) with mild posterior capsule opacification (PCO) were treated with Nd:YAG laser, 3 eyes (9.68%) with thick proliferative membranes were treated with posterior capsule capsulotomy combined with anterior vitrectomy and proliferative membranes in 19 eyes (61.29%) were completely aspired and the posterior capsule was retained. During follow-up, only 2 (6.45%) eyes had PCO recurrence and were treated with Nd:YAG laser. The visual acuity was significantly higher than that before surgery in all patients. Conclusions For older children, the incidence of PCO will be low even if intact posterior capsule is retained. Either Nd:YAG laser or surgical treatment for PCO will be able to maintain good vision.

Commentary review: challenges of intraocular lens implantation for congenital cataract infants

As an indispensable part of congenital cataract surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in infantile patients has long-term positive impacts on visual rehabilitation, as well as postoperative complications inevitably. Timing of IOL implantation in infantile congenital cataract patients is not simply a point-in-time but a personalized decision that comprehensively takes age at surgery, risks of postoperative complications, and economic condition of family in consideration, and combines with choosing suitable IOL type and power. For infants with well-developed eyeballs and good systemic conditions, IOL implantation at six months of age or older is safe and effective. Otherwise, secondary IOL implantation may be a safer choice.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of secondary glaucoma, glaucoma suspects and ocular hypertension after congenital cataract surgery

Objective: To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure after congenital cataract surgery in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective case series included all children aged 0–2 years undergoing lens extraction due to congenital cataract. Development of an elevated intraocular pressure was divided into three groups: secG, suspG and OHT. Further, risk factors for IOP changes, the therapeutic approach and functional outcome were assessed during follow-up. Results: One hundred and sixty-one eyes of 110 patients aged 0–2 years were included, whereof 29 eyes of 17 children developed secondary glaucoma (secG; 11 eyes/8 patients), glaucoma suspect (suspG; three eyes/three patients) or ocular hypertension (OHT; 15 eyes/10 patients). No difference in surgrical procedure ( p = 0.62) was found, but age at cataract surgery differed significantly ( p = 0.048), with the secG group (1.74 ± 1.01 months) being the youngest (suspG: 3.93 ± 1.80 months; OHT group: 5.91 ± 5.36 months). Secondary surgical intervention was significantly higher in the secG (4.64 ± 3.41) followed by the suspG (2.00 ± 2.65) and OHT groups (0.40 ± 0.74; p < 0.001). Postoperative complications including nystagmus ( p = 0.81), strabismus ( p = 0.98) and amblyopia ( p = 0.73) showed no difference, in contrast to visual axis obscuration which was more common in the secG group ( p = 0.036). Conclusion: Initial lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy procedure together with or without IOL implantation seems to have no influence for the development of IOP changes after pediatric cataract surgery. However, children who developed secondary glaucoma had cataract surgery significantly earlier, within the first 2–3 months of life. Glaucoma surgery was required to achieve final IOP control in most eyes. The development of secondary glaucoma was also associated with a significant increase in surgical re-treatments.