Visual Outcomes in Children Undergoing Secondary Intraocular Lens Implant after Primary Cataract Surgery for Congenital Cataracts

Abstract

Background: The most frequent surgical approach for cataracts is a micro-incision aspiration with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Multiple factors are involved in the long-standing effect of Pediatric cataract surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the visual outcomes following secondary implantation of IOL in children who have undergone primary cataract surgery for congenital cataracts.

Study type, settings & duration: This was a cross-sectional study performed at the Pediatric section of Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi from January 2018 to December 2019.  

Methodology: Fifty-seven files were retrieved for data collection. All children who had congenital cataracts and were aged 1-3 years and had undergone primary cataract surgery were included. Children with congenital cataract had undergone a primary surgery at six months to one year after which a secondary IOL implant had been done on them aged 15-36 months.

Results: Visual acuity improved to 6/12 in 40.4% patients, 6/9.5 in 33.3% patients, and 6/15 in 10.5% patients. The final visual outcome through log MAR chart revealed that most of the children improved visual acuity. 19 (33.3%) had a 0.2 score that is equivalent to 6/9.5 on the Snellen chart. Likewise, 23 (40.4%) had 0.3 score that is equivalent to 6/12 on the Snellen chart, 6 (10.5%) had 0.4 on the log MAR chart.

Conclusion: The bilateral congenital cataract was more prevalent. Overall an improvement in the visual outcome was seen after secondary Intraocular lens implantation in patients with bilateral congenital cataracts.