Biometric changes in Indian pediatric cataract and postoperative refractive status

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Biometry

Background:

• Pediatric cataract is a significant cause of visual impairment in children.
• Accurate biometric measurements are crucial for effective intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in pediatric eyes.
• Understanding ethnic variations in ocular growth is essential for optimizing refractive outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate biometric changes in Indian pediatric cataract patients.
• To assess postoperative refractive status in Indian children following cataract surgery.
• To compare ocular growth patterns in Indian pediatric eyes with existing data from Western populations.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 147 Indian pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery, divided into three age groups (<6 months, 7-18 months, 19-60 months).
• Axial length and keratometry were measured preoperatively under general anesthesia.
• Patients were followed for 6 months to assess refractive and biometric changes using T-tests and linear regression.

Main Results:

• Axial length growth rates varied by age group (0.21, 0.18, 0.06 mm/month).
• Keratometry showed a decline in all age groups (0.083, 0.035, 0.001 D/month).
• Visual acuity improved postoperatively, with a significant correlation between age and refraction (Spearman's rho = -0.575, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Indian pediatric eyes exhibit slower axial length growth and keratometry changes compared to Western eyes.
• This suggests a need for modified emmetropic intraocular lens power calculations for Indian children.
• Achieving a moderate degree of hyperopia may require smaller undercorrections in IOL power for this population.