Management of pediatric cataract and lens opacities

The diagnosis and surgical management of cataracts in children has benefitted from improvements in microsurgical techniques. Intraocular lens placement has become standard in children 2 years of age and older. Initial experience with intraocular lens implantation in infants found a high rate of surgical complications. However, refinements in surgical techniques may lesson these complications. Posterior capsule opacification is a frequent postoperative problem after pediatric cataract surgery. Posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with anterior vitrectomy is an effective means to prevent opacification of the visual axis in children.