IngentaConnect Paediatric cataract surgery

Authors: Zetterström, Charlotta¹; Kugelberg, Maria²

Source: Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, Volume 85, Number 7, November 2007 , pp. 698-710(13)

Abstract:

Bilateral congenital cataract is the most common cause of treatable childhood blindness. Nuclear cataract is usually present at birth and is non-progressive, while lamellar cataract usually develops later and is progressive. Prompt surgery has to be performed in cases with dense congenital cataract: if nystagmus has developed, the amblyopia is unfortunately irreversible. A treatment regime based on surgery within 2 months of life, combined with prompt optical correction of the aphakia and occlusion therapy with frequent follow-up, have been successful in both unilateral and bilateral cases. The surgery ought to include anterior and posterior capsulorexis in all children at the present time. Intraocular lens implantation has been safely performed below the age of 1 year and has also been successfully performed in bilateral cases. Anterior dry vitrectomy should be performed in preschool children to avoid visual axis opacification. Visual axis opacification is the most common complication found after cataract surgery in children. Secondary glaucoma is by far the most sight-threatening complication and is, unfortunately, common in the newborn so lifelong follow-up is essential in these cases.

Keywords: children; cataract surgery; intraocular lens; visual axis opacification; secondary glaucoma

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0420.2007.01007.x

Affiliations: 1: Ullevål University Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway 2: St Erik's Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

You have access to the full text article on a website external to Ingentaconnect.

Please click here to view this article on InterScience.

You may be required to register and activate access on InterScience before you can obtain the full text. If you have any queries please contact onlinehelp@oxon.blackwellpublishing.com