Postoperative Complications and Visual Results in Uniocular Pediatric Traumatic Cataract

Gagandeep S. Brar, MD; Jagat Ram, MD; Suriner S. Pandav, MD; Ganjikunta S. Reddy, MD; Usha Singh, MD and Amod Gupta, MD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study was prospectively carried out to evaluate the postoperative complications and visual results following posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation in children with unilateral traumatic cataract.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 40 children, 12 years or younger, with traumatic cataract (blunt trauma, n = 22 eyes, repaired penetrating eye injury, n = 18 eyes) undergoing PCIOL implantation with a minimum follow-up period of one year. Children with posterior segment ocular injury were excluded.

RESULTS

The postoperative complications were significantly higher in the penetrating eye injury group as compared to blunt trauma group (ie, pupillary capture 44.44% vs 9.09%, posterior capsulotomy rate 83.33% vs 40.90% and IOL decentration 27.77% vs 4.54%). The final visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 38.8% and 86.36% of eyes with penetrating eye injury and blunt trauma, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with PCIOL implantation in traumatic cataract following blunt trauma results in better visual outcome and fewer complications compared to penetrating eye injury if the posterior segment is not involved. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 2001;32:233-238]

AUTHORS

From the Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Accepted for publication August 8, 2000.

Address reprint requests to Jagat Ram, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh-160012, India [email: jagatram@cha.i91.net].