Corneal Changes in Children after Unilateral Cataract Surgery in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study

We report endothelial cell (EC) characteristics and central corneal thickness (CCT) from the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) patients at the 5-year examination.

Randomized, controlled trial of the treatment of unilateral cataract with aphakic contact lens (CL) versus primary intraocular lens (IOL) implant.

A total of 114 infants with unilateral cataract.

The EC density, coefficient of variation (CV), and percent hexagonal cells were measured by noncontact specular microscopy. The CCT was measured using contact pachymetry. Fellow eyes served as controls.

Mean differences between treated and fellow eyes of CL and IOL groups were compared with a paired t test. A 1-way analysis of variance model and the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison procedure were used to assess the effect of a diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect.

A total of 105 subjects (52 with CLs, 53 with IOLs) had specular microscopy or corneal thickness data recorded. Mean EC densities were higher in aphakic eyes compared with fellow eyes (3921 vs. 3495 cells/mm2, P<0.0001). Mean CV was higher (27 vs. 24, P=0.0002) and mean percent hexagonal cells was lower (72% vs. 76%, P=0.002) in aphakic eyes compared with fellow eyes. Mean CCT of aphakic eyes was higher than in controls (637 vs. 563 μm, P<0.0001). There was no difference in EC density in eyes treated with IOLs compared with fellow eyes (3445 and 3487 cells/mm2, P=0.68). Means for CV (25 vs. 24, P=0.07) and percent hexagonal cells (74 vs. 76%, P=0.27) were also not significantly different. Mean CCT was higher in eyes with IOLs (605 vs. 571 μm, P<0.0001) compared with fellow eyes. Compared with treated eyes without glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, treated eyes with glaucoma had lower EC density (3289 vs. 3783 cells/mm2, P=0.03) and treated eyes with glaucoma suspect had greater mean corneal thickness (660 vs. 612 μm, P=0.0036).

Cataract extraction during infancy with IOL implantation was not associated with a reduced EC count in treated compared with fellow eyes, although CCT was increased. Extended-wear aphakic CLs may cause corneal polymegathism with increased EC density and CCT. Glaucoma diagnosis was associated with reduced EC counts and increased CCT.