Glaucoma after cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of postoperative glaucoma in children who have cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.


METHODS
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.


METHODS
The incidence of glaucoma of all etiologies was evaluated in 45 eyes of 37 selected consecutive patients aged 1 to 18 years who had cataract extraction and posterior chamber IOL implantation from 1991 to 1994. Mean follow-up was 23 months (range 6 to 38 months). Nineteen patients had traumatic and 18 had developmental cataract. Exclusion criteria were microcornea smaller than 9.0 mm in diameter, preoperative glaucoma, or poor pupil dilation. The surgical technique comprised a continuous curvilinear anterior capsulorhexis in most cases, extracapsular aspiration by Ocutome or phacoemulsification, and retention of the posterior capsule. A peripheral iridectomy was done in 7 eyes (16%). Postoperative medications included topical atropine combined with topical, subconjunctival, and systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics.


RESULTS
Three patients with traumatic cataract developed postoperative glaucoma during the follow-up. One developed pseudophakic pupillary block; however, a peripheral iridectomy prevented glaucoma. Two other patients developed late-onset glaucoma: one secondary to angle recession and the other to peripheral anterior synechias. No patient with developmental cataract developed glaucoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful patient selection, atraumatic surgical technique, continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, in-the-bag IOL placement, postoperative atropine, and topical and systemic corticosteroids significantly lower the incidence of pseudophakic pupillary block and glaucoma. Although no patient developed glaucoma, lifelong follow-up is mandatory to detect chronic open-angle and traumatic angle-recession glaucoma.
Brady
K M
KM
Department of Ophthalmology Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Atkinson
C S
CS
Kilty
L A
LA
Hiles
D A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000209:etiology*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies