Postoperative intraocular pressure elevation after the use of Healon GV in pediatric cataract surgery

Intraocular pressure elevation after the use of viscoelastic agents in uncomplicated cataract surgery has been well documented in adults. However, pediatric patients are thought to clear residual viscoelastic agents from the anterior chamber more easily than adults, presumably because of healthier trabecular meshwork. (1) We report on a series of 4 eyes of 4 children with previously normal intraocular pressure who underwent cataract extraction with primary (3 patients) or secondary (1 patient) intraocular lens implantation with Healon GV, which was complicated by marked postoperative intraocular pressure elevation (greater than 30 mm Hg). The patients, aged 5 to 14 years, had an intraocular pressure ranging from 34 to 50 mm Hg with Tonopen or applanation tonometry 1 day, postoperatively associated with nausea, eye pain, and microcystic corneal edema. Viscoelastic material was not entirely removed during surgery. Each of these cases occurred after a change in our preferred viscoelastic agent from one with less viscosity to Healon GV. Medical management controlled the elevated intraocular pressure in all cases without affecting the visual outcome. However, 1 patient with intractable nausea and vomiting required hospitalization for rehydration. With meticulous removal of all viscoelastic material at the completion of surgery, we have not documented any additional cases of postoperative pressure elevation.