Changes in nystagmus after simultaneous surgery for bilateral congenital cataracts

The presence of nystagmus has been considered as an indicator of poor prognosis in infants with bilateral congenital cataracts. However, of the 10 infants with preoperative nystagmus reported in this study, after simultaneous surgery for bilateral congenital cataracts, 5 cases showed a resolution of nystagmus or reduction to latent nystagmus postoperatively. This study was carried out to clarify what factors resolved or reduced the preoperative nystagmus. Those 5 cases in whom nystagmus was ameliorated postoperatively were operated on within one month after the onset. Age of nystagmus onset, age at surgery or type of cataract did not affect this amelioration of nystagmus. In contrast, the 5 cases who had no postoperative change in nystagmus were operated on later than this period. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to resolve or reduce preoperative nystagmus in bilateral congenital cataracts by a simultaneous bilateral lens removal within one month after the onset of nystagmus.