Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Rotating the Intraocular Lens to Prevent Posterior Capsular Opacification in Cataract Surgeries
Published on: July 7, 2023
[Long-term outcomes after cataract surgery in infants with congenital cataract]
1Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang110004, Liaoning Province, China.
Insights
Congenital cataract surgery in infants under 36 months, including intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, can lead to good visual acuity outcomes. Early IOL implantation before 24 months showed better results, with low rates of serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Visual Science
Background:
- Congenital cataracts, affecting infants under 36 months, require timely surgical intervention.
- Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is a common procedure following cataract extraction in children.
- Long-term outcomes and complication rates of early congenital cataract surgery are crucial for visual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes and complications of congenital cataract surgery performed before 36 months of age.
- To determine the optimal timing for intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in relation to visual acuity.
- To assess the impact of surgery timing on postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case study of 32 cases (57 eyes) of congenital cataract operated between January 2004 and January 2012.
- All patients underwent cataract extraction with IOL implantation, posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexies, and anterior vitrectomy.
- Long-term follow-up (up to 13 years) included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment and complication evaluation using statistical analyses like the Mann-Whitney U test.
Main Results:
- Median age at cataract extraction was 6 months, and median IOL implantation age was 28 months, with a median follow-up of 67 months.
- Postoperative BCVA was significantly better for surgeries performed between 2-4 months and for IOL implantation before 24 months.
- Common complications included nystagmus (52.63%) and strabismus (29.82%), with posterior capsular opacity (8.77%) and glaucoma (3.51%) occurring less frequently.
Conclusions:
- Congenital cataract surgery before 36 months with IOL implantation generally achieves good visual acuity.
- Early IOL implantation (before 24 months) is associated with significantly better visual outcomes.
- While complications like nystagmus and strabismus are observed, serious adverse events are infrequent.
Abstract:
Objective: To observe the long-term outcomes after congenital cataract surgery performed prior to 36 months of age. Methods: A retrospective case study was conducted. Thirty-two cases (57 eyes) of congenital cataract were included from January 2004 to January 2012. All patients received intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexies and anterior vitrectomy after cataract extraction and were followed up. At the last visit, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined and postoperative complications were evaluated during follow-up with a longest time of 13 years. Non-normal distribution showed in median M (minimum and maximum). Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis single factor variance analysis and multiple comparison. The independent Mann-Witney U test was used to analyze non-normal distribution data. Results: There were thirty-two cases (57 eyes) of congenital cataract including 7 unilateral cases and 25 bilateral cases. The median age at cataract extraction was 6.0months; the median IOL implantation age was 28.0 months and the median duration of follow-up after cataract extraction was 67.0 months. The median postoperative BCVA was (LogMAR) 0.52. Unilateral and bilateral cataract postoperative BCVA difference had no statistical significance (U=107, P>0.05). Patients received cataract surgery in 2 to 4 months, the postoperative BCVA was better than in 5 to 8 months. The difference was statistical significance (H=-15.33, P<0.05). BCVA after IOL implantation before 24 months were significantly better than after 30 months. The difference had statistical significance(H=-20.61,-20.78, P<0.05). Postoperative complications were posterior capsular opacity (5 eyes; 8.77%), glaucoma (2 eyes; 3.51%), strabismus (17 eyes; 29.82%) and nystagmus (30 eyes; 52.63%). Conclusions: Most infantile cataract surgeries performed prior to 36 mouths of life together with the implantation of IOL can achieve good visual acuity. No serious complications occurred. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 266-273).
Related Concept Videos
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways