Visual Outcomes in Pediatric Cataract

Authors

  • Sachit Mahajan Senior Resident, Upgraded Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Jammu,Jammu and Kashmir, India
  • Satish K Gupta Professor and Head, Upgraded Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Keywords:

Cataract, Amblyopia, Cataract extraction, capsule opacification, Congenital cataract, posterior capsulotomy, occlusion therapy, Blindness.

Abstract

Background- Childhood cataract is one of the leading causes of treatable blindness accounting for 7.4%–15.3% of pediatric blindness. Age at
presentation, age at the time of surgery and associated ocular abnormalities determine the outcome of pediatric cataract surgery. The main aim of
the pediatric cataract surgery is to provide a clear optical axis. The two main factors that affect the final outcome are amblyopia and posterior
capsular opacification. This study was conceptualized to study the visual outcomes, etiology and complications of pediatric cataract
surgery.Material and Methods: This prospective study included 71 eyes of 52 patients with childhood cataract <18 years of age. Detailed history
and ocular history were taken. Relevant investigations for surgery and for establishing the etiology were undertaken. All the children underwent
irrigation and aspiration of lens matter with wide anterior capsulotomy, posterior capsulotomy and implantation of IOL. All children were followed
up for one year. Post-operative complications were managed accordingly and occlusion therapy for amblyopia was given in unilateral
cases.Results:The mean age at the time of surgery in our study was 6.5±1.22 years. There were 63.46% cases of unilateral cataract with more than
half of the cases being idiopathic in etiology. Vitreous thrust was the most common intra-operative complication (8.45%). Post-operative
inflammation manifesting as iridocycllitis was the most common early post-operative complication (15.49%) and posterior capsular opacification
was the most common late post-operative complication (25.35%). Final visual outcome was good in 43.66% cases with final visual acuity of >6/24.
Conclusion:Management of childhood cataract is a challenging process. The age at which cataract is operated is very crucial for final visual
outcome. After cataract removal, regular update on refraction and occlusion therapy for amblyopia are crucial for achieving good visual outcome.

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Published

2021-10-20

How to Cite

Sachit Mahajan, & Satish K Gupta. (2021). Visual Outcomes in Pediatric Cataract. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 4(18), 204–207. Retrieved from https://ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/2958