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Ocular axial length in children with unilateral congenital cataract
U Kugelberg1, C Zetterström, S Syrén-Nordqvist
1St. Erik's Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Children with unilateral congenital cataract have shorter ocular axial length and thinner lenses in the affected eye compared to the unaffected eye. This difference in axial length increases after cataract surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Biometry
Background:
- Congenital cataract is a significant cause of visual impairment in children.
- Understanding ocular biometry in affected eyes is crucial for management and predicting visual outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and compare ocular axial length and lens thickness in children with unilateral congenital cataract versus their healthy fellow eyes.
- To assess changes in axial length post-cataract extraction.
Main Methods:
- A-scan ultrasonography was used to measure ocular axial length and lens thickness in 12 children with unilateral congenital cataract.
- Measurements were taken before and, in some cases, after cataract extraction.
Main Results:
- Eyes with unilateral congenital cataract exhibited significantly shorter axial lengths compared to normal fellow eyes (mean difference: 1.03 mm, P < 0.01).
- The cataractous lens was significantly thinner than the clear lens (mean difference: 0.63 mm, P < 0.01).
- Axial length differences increased after unilateral cataract extraction.
Conclusions:
- Unilateral congenital cataract is associated with reduced ocular axial length and lens thickness.
- Cataract surgery may lead to further divergence in axial length between the affected and unaffected eyes.
Abstract:
Ocular axial length and thickness were measured in 12 children (age 4 to 418 days, median 103 days) with unilateral congenital cataract who were referred to St. Erik's Eye Hospital during 1991-1994. The measurements were performed in both eyes with A-scan ultrasonography before cataract extraction. In 4 children measurement of the axial length was repeated 1 to 4 months after the unilateral cataract extraction. All eyes with congenital cataract were shorter than the normal fellow eye. The individual axial length differences showed a mean value +/- SEM of 1.03 +/- 0.16 mm. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). In the 4 children where measurement of the axial length was repeated, the difference between the eyes after unilateral cataract extraction had become greater than before. In addition, the thickness of the cataractous lens was 0.63 +/- 0.17 mm (mean +/- SEM) less than the non-operated clear lens. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). In conclusion, in children with unilateral congenital cataract the affected eye has a shorter axial length and a thinner lens.