Visual function following congenital cataract surgery

To evaluate the results of congenital cataract extraction and postoperative visual function, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 95 patients who underwent pars plana (plicata) lensectomy or aspiration surgery. Forty-nine percent of the patients with bilateral aphakia and 25% with bilateral pseudophakia had a Landolt visual acuity of 0.5 or above at the final visit. The figures were 31% and 66% for patients with unilateral aphakia and pseudophakia, respectively. Eight patients (16.3%) with bilateral and 2 patients (5.8%) with unilateral cataract for whom contact lenses were prescribed after surgery attained fine stereopsis. Five of 8 patients (62.5%) with unilateral cataract who had intraocular lens implantation ended up with gross or fine stereopsis. We stress that very early surgery and optical correction in the sensitive period of binocular visual development should be instituted, especially in the presence of dense opacities. A good postoperative visual outcome can be achieved in patients undergoing late surgery if the opacities are light or partial in nature. We also reemphasize the importance of aggressive and diligent visual rehabilitation and occlusion therapy against amblyopia.