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Published on: April 3, 2016
Longitudinal changes in axial length in pseudophakic children
1Emory Eye Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Insights
Children undergoing cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation experienced axial length changes. Traumatic cataracts led to greater eye elongation than developmental ones, impacting refractive error in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cataract extraction in children requires careful consideration of axial length changes.
- Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is a common procedure following pediatric cataract surgery.
- Understanding refractive development post-surgery is crucial for long-term visual outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate axial length changes in children aged 3-9 years after cataract extraction and primary IOL implantation.
- To compare axial elongation between traumatic and developmental/congenital cataracts.
- To assess refractive shifts following the surgical intervention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 17 eyes in 15 children (mean age 6.4 years) who underwent primary IOL implantation.
- Analysis of initial and final axial length measurements and refractive errors.
- Average follow-up duration of 3.1 years.
Main Results:
- Overall mean axial length increase of 0.64 mm observed across all eyes.
- Mean myopic shift of -1.01 diopters (D) recorded.
- Eyes with traumatic cataracts showed significantly more axial elongation (0.97 mm) compared to developmental/congenital cataracts (-0.01 mm; P = .03).
- 94% of patients achieved a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric eyes with traumatic cataracts exhibit greater axial elongation post-cataract extraction and IOL implantation than those with developmental/congenital cataracts.
- Axial elongation and subsequent myopic shift are significant considerations in pediatric cataract surgery.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering cataract etiology when predicting refractive outcomes in children.
Purpose:
To evaluate the axial length changes that occur in children 3 to 9 years of age who had cataract extraction with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
Setting:
Emory Eye Center, Emory University, and Egleston Children's Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Methods:
A review of 17 eyes in 15 children (mean age 6.4 years; range 3 to 9 years) who had primary IOL implantation was undertaken. Patients were followed for an average of 3.1 years. The initial and final axial length measurements and refractive errors were compared.
Results:
The overall change in mean axial length in the 17 eyes was 0.64 mm. The overall mean myopic shift was -1.01 diopters (D) (range -3.00 +0.50 D). Eyes with traumatic cataracts experienced more axial elongation than eyes with developmental/congenital cataracts (0.97 mm versus -0.01 mm; P = .03). Ninety-four percent of patients obtained a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better.
Conclusion:
Eyes with traumatic cataracts experienced more axial elongation than eyes with developmental/congenital cataracts after cataract extraction and IOL implantation.
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