Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity
05:46

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity

Published on: September 20, 2024

695

The Myopic Shift in Aphakic Eyes in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study After 10 Years of Follow-up

Scott R Lambert1, Azhar Nizam, Lindreth DuBois

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology (S.R.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.N., G.C.), Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Department of Ophthalmology (L.D.), School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Department of Ophthalmology (D.R.W.), Southwestern University, Dallas, TX; and Storm Eye Institute (M.E.W.), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

Eye & Contact Lens
|June 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children undergoing unilateral cataract surgery showed a significant myopic shift in their aphakic eyes, decreasing refractive error by 44% over 10.5 years. Most children who remained aphakic continued to wear contact lens correction.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Unilateral cataract surgery in infancy leads to aphakia, requiring optical correction.
  • Longitudinal data on refractive error changes in these children is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To track the myopic shift in aphakic eyes of children after unilateral cataract surgery.
  • To analyze refractive error changes over 10.5 years in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Children in the IATS were randomized to aphakia and contact lens correction post-surgery.
  • Ocular examinations were performed at regular intervals until 10.5 years of age.

Main Results:

  • Refractive error in aphakic eyes decreased by 44% from infancy to 10.5 years.
  • The rate of myopic shift slowed over time: -2.11 D/year (0-1.5 yrs), -0.68 D/year (1.5-5 yrs), -0.35 D/year (5-10.5 yrs).
  • At 10.5 years, two-thirds of children with aphakia continued to wear contact lenses.

Conclusions:

  • Aphakic eyes in children treated for unilateral cataracts experience significant myopic shifts.
  • Contact lens correction remains a primary method for managing aphakia in this population.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model05:56

Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model

Published on: April 3, 2016

9.2K
Comparison of Three Clinical Stereoscopic Methods for Measuring Binocular Visual Function During Amblyopic Treatment in Unilateral Amblyopia06:19

Comparison of Three Clinical Stereoscopic Methods for Measuring Binocular Visual Function During Amblyopic Treatment in Unilateral Amblyopia

Published on: September 27, 2024

453

Related Concept Videos

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
873
Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
4.9K
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.0K
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K