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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Surgical Correction for Pediatric Epiblepharon and Trichiasis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Surgical technique and postoperative complications in pediatric cataract surgery: retrospective analysis of 21 cases
Ivanka Petric1, Valentina Lacmanović Loncar
1Eye Clinic, Sisters of Mercy University Hospital, Vinogradska cesta 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. ivankapetric@hotmail.com
Insights
Pediatric cataract surgery complications, primarily posterior capsule opacification, were evaluated. Posterior capsulorhexis with anterior vitrectomy is beneficial for younger children, while older children achieve a clear visual axis without vitrectomy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Cataract surgery in children presents unique challenges compared to adults.
- Evaluating surgical techniques is crucial for optimizing outcomes in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and compare postoperative complications associated with different surgical methods for pediatric cataract treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical records for 21 children (33 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery.
- Surgical techniques included posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with or without anterior vitrectomy, and aphakia.
- Intraocular lens implantation was performed in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- Posterior capsule opacification was the most frequent complication, occurring in 1/9 eyes without vitrectomy and 6/24 eyes with vitrectomy.
- Secondary procedures like Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy were performed for visual axis opacification.
- Other complications included aphakic glaucoma, synechia formation, intraocular lens deposits, and pupil capture.
Conclusions:
- Posterior capsule opacification is a significant complication in pediatric cataract surgery.
- Anterior vitrectomy combined with posterior capsulorhexis is advantageous for younger children.
- Older children may achieve a clear visual axis without the need for anterior vitrectomy.
Aim:
To evaluate postoperative complications of different surgical techniques for cataract treatment in children.
Methods:
We reviewed clinical records of 21 children (33 eyes) who underwent cataract surgery between January 1998 and December 2002. The median age of children at the time of cataract surgery was 39 months (range, 4-115 months). The median follow up was 26 months (range, 6-58 months). A posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with anterior vitrectomy was performed in 24 eyes, and posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis without anterior vitrectomy in 9 eyes (children older than 7 years). Nine eyes were left aphakic and intraocular lens was implanted in 24 eyes.
Results:
Opacification of the visual axis was the most frequent complication. One of nine eyes in the group of children undergoing posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis developed posterior capsule opacification. This also occurred in 6 out of 24 eyes with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and anterior vitrectomy. In 5 eyes with secondary opacification Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was performed as a secondary procedure. In uncooperative children (2 eyes) more extensive anterior vitrectomy was repeated. Other postoperative complications included aphakic glaucoma (n=1), synechia formation (n=4), intraocular lens deposits (n=2), and pupil capture (n=1).
Conclusions:
The main complication in the pediatric cataract surgery was posterior capsule opacification, and the management of posterior capsule seems to be a very important factor. In younger children, cataract surgery with posterior capsulorhexis and anterior vitrectomy was advantageous, whereas in older children a clear visual axis was achieved without vitrectomy.
