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Published on: April 3, 2016
Case series of 12 children with progressive axial myopia following unilateral cataract extraction
M Vanathi1, Radhika Tandon, Jeewan S Titiyal
1Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Pediatric cataract surgery can lead to progressive axial myopia in one eye. Trauma and multiple eye surgeries may increase the risk of this vision change.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Refractive Surgery
Background:
- Cataract surgery in children is complex and can have long-term visual consequences.
- Unilateral cataract surgery requires careful management to ensure optimal visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of unilateral progressive axial myopia following unilateral cataract surgery in children.
- To identify potential predisposing factors for this condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records of 12 children who underwent unilateral cataract surgery.
- Follow-up duration ranged from 4 to 14 years.
Main Results:
- 83.3% of cases involved traumatic cataracts, often following penetrating eye injuries.
- Mean myopic shift was -7.35 D, with axial length increases up to 2.53 mm.
- Three children required intraocular lens explantation due to high myopia.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric eyes may develop progressive axial myopia after cataract surgery.
- History of trauma or multiple ocular surgeries may predispose children to this complication.
Purpose:
We report the occurrence of unilateral progressive axial myopia ipsilaterally in a retrospective analysis of 12 children following uniocular cataract surgery.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of the case records of children who had developed progressive ipsilateral axial myopia following unilateral cataract surgery was done. Follow-up ranged from 4 years to 14 years.
Results:
Twelve children, 7 male and 5 female, were eligible for the study. Mean age at the time of cataract surgery was 6.7 +/- 2.5 years (range, 4-11 years) and follow-up period was 7.8 +/- 3.1 years (range, 4-14 years). Ten children (83.3%) had traumatic cataracts of which 8 had undergone repair of penetrating eye injuries and 2 had suffered blunt trauma. Two patients (16.7%)had been operated for unilateral developmental cataracts. Three children had aphakia and nine had pseudophakia. Degree of myopic shift ranged from -4.75 D to -15 D (mean, -7.35 +/- 3.51 D). Axial length difference between the 2 eyes ranged from 1 mm to 3.5 mm (mean, 2.2 +/- 0.9 mm). Mean increase of axial length from preoperative recording to final follow-up was 2.53 +/- 0.90 mm (range, 1.6-4 mm). Three children had to undergo IOL explantation and 1 had posterior chamber intraocular lens exchange due to high unilateral myopia. The rest were visually rehabilitated with either spectacles or contact lenses.
Conclusion:
Following cataract surgery pediatric eyes may suffer from progressive axial myopia. Trauma or multiple ocular surgeries may be predisposing factors.
