Refractive outcomes of cataract surgery in primary congenital glaucoma

To evaluate refractive outcomes of cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in operated eyes of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).

A retrospective case-control study.

Patients of PCG who developed cataract following trabeculectomy with trabeculotomy were recruited. Preoperative biometry was recorded and refractive outcomes of the patients in terms of spherical equivalent (SE) and prediction error were noted at 3 and at 12 months following surgery. The refractive outcomes were compared with non-glaucomatous eyes of children in similar age group who underwent lens aspiration with IOL implantation (controls).

The median age of the children with PCG (n = 31) at the time of cataract surgery was 60 months, similar to controls (n = 29); 48 months (p = 0.3). The SE in PCG eyes at 12 months was comparable to controls (p = 0.18). The prediction error (postoperative SE - predicted SE) at 3 months (p = 0.018) and at 12 months (p = 0.03) among PCG eyes was higher and more myopic compared with controls. The range of prediction error at 12 months in PCG eyes was - 8.6 to + 5.8 D (median - 2.0 D), whereas in controls it was - 4.2 to + 6.3 D (median + 0.5 D). For each mmHg intraocular pressure (IOP) increase there was 0.42 mm increase in axial length among PCG eyes and a 0.24 mm increase among controls (p < 0.001).

After IOL implantation there was a greater prediction error and a greater myopic shift among PCG eyes. Eyes of children with PCG are more prone to refractive surprises as their axial length changes are more sensitive to IOP fluctuation.