Procedures involving star-shaped capsulectomy for managing congenital cataracts in developing nations

The management of congenital cataracts is still challenging, especially in developing nations, where surgical facilities are limited. Congenital cataracts were extracted from 22 patients (26 eyes): a procedure consisting of a star-shaped anterior capsulectomy and wash-out of lens material (STARWO) was performed in 16 of them (18 eyes) (group A); a procedure consisting of a star-shaped anterior capsulectomy, wash-out, anterior vitrectomy through the posterior capsulotomy, and repeated tearing of remnants of the anterior capsule (STARWAR) was performed in six patients (eight eyes) (group B). Intraocular lenses were implanted in both groups. In group A, secondary membranes (27.7%) developed in five eyes, postoperative uveitis in four (22.2%), and a late Elschnig pearl in 1 (5.5%). In group B, there was one case of secondary membrane formation (12.5%), and one of postoperative uveitis; neither required subsequent intervention. The inexpensive instrumentation used and the low rate of perioperative complications encountered in these patients make these two techniques attractive alternatives for managing congentital cataracts in developing nations.