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Traumatic Cataracts in Children, Long-Term Follow-up in an Israeli Population: A Retrospective Study
Assaf Hilely1,2, Hana Leiba1,2, Asaf Achiron3,4
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
Insights
Pediatric traumatic cataracts can lead to severe complications, including glaucoma and lens dislocation, even after long-term follow-up. Early surgical intervention and consistent monitoring are crucial for managing these challenging cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Pediatric ocular trauma frequently results in cataract formation.
- Managing traumatic cataracts in young children presents significant challenges and risks poor visual outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes and complications associated with unilateral traumatic cataracts in children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study was conducted on pediatric patients with unilateral traumatic cataracts.
- A minimum follow-up period of 5 years was required, with main outcomes including final visual acuity and complication rates.
Main Results:
- Over 80% of the 18 participants were male, with a median injury age of 7.5 years.
- Cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed in 89% of cases.
- Long-term complications included IOL dislocation (36%), glaucoma (44%), and posterior capsular opacity (71%).
Conclusions:
- Severe complications are common in pediatric traumatic cataracts, occurring in over 30% of patients during extended follow-up (mean 12.5 years).
- Prognosis and the necessity for scheduled follow-up require thorough discussion between physicians and parents.
Background:
Ocular trauma in the pediatric population may lead to cataract formation. Managing traumatic cataracts in a visually immature child is a major challenge and can result in poor visual outcome.
Objectives:
To review our long-term surgical experience with childhood unilateral traumatic cataracts.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study of children with unilateral traumatic cataracts with minimal follow-up of 5 years was conducted. Main outcomes included final visual acuity (VA) and occurrence of complications.
Results:
Of the 18 children included in the study, 83% were male. Mean follow-up time was 12.5 years. Median age at injury was 7.5 years. Eleven patients (61%) presented with penetrating trauma injuries and 7 (39%) with blunt trauma. Sixteen patients (89%) had cataracts at presentation, while in two the cataracts developed during follow-up. Of the 18 total, cataract removal surgery was conducted in 16 (89%) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in 14 (87.5%), while 2 remained aphakic (12.5%). Two (11%) were treated conservatively. Long-term complications included IOL dislocation in 5 (36%), glaucoma in 8 (44%), and posterior capsular opacity in 10 (71%). No correlation was found between final visual acuity and the time interval between injury and IOL implantation nor between final VA and age at trauma. However, the final VA did correlate with time of follow-up.
Conclusions:
Severe complications occurred in over 30% of the patients during a long follow-up (mean 12.5 years). This finding shows the importance of discussions between the operating physician and the parents regarding the prognosis and necessity of scheduled follow-up.
