Implantation of Intraocular Lenses in Children

Overview

Objective :
To evaluate the results of primary and secondary implantations ofintraocular lenses (IOL) in children - visual acuity, binocular function, resultingrefraction and complications after operation.Methods:The group comprises 47 eyes of 36 children operated in 1993-1997, aged5-16 years (mean age of operated children 10.3 years). The follow up period afteroperation was 18-60 months. The mean follow period was 37 months. Twenty-twoprimary implantations of posterior chamber IOL were made and 25 secondaryimplantations, incl. 13 posterior chamber IOL and 12 anterior chamber IOL. Fromthe total number of cataracts 26 were traumatic and 21 congenital (16 bilateraland 5 unilateral).Results: A visual acuity of 6/12 or better was recorded after operation in 31 (67%)eyes, incl. vision 6/6 in 7 eyes. Vision 6/15 to 6/24 was found in 8 (18%) eyes.Binocularfunction after operation was recorded in 26 (73%) children. Of these 11 havestereopsis and 15 have fusion I-III. Nine children (27%) do not have binocularfunctions. Half the eyes have after operation a refraction within the interval ± 1.0D SE. Fifteen eyes (33%) are within the range of ±2 D SE from emetropy. Eight eyeshad a refraction in the interval of ±3 D SE during the last check-up examination.The most frequent postoperative complication was a slight (48%) or more serious(23%) inflammatory reaction , decentration of the IOL (23%), and in case posteriorcapsulotomy was not performed during primary implantation, the complication in almost 8% of eyes was secondary cataract which had to be treated by capsulo-tomy with a NdYAG laser. One intraocular lens had to be explanted.Conclusion: Implantation of an intraocular lens in children aged 5-16 years isaccording to the results of postoperative visual acuity and binocular functionsa suitable alternative of correction of child aphakia.

Key words:
child cataract, aphakia, primary implantation, secondary implantati-