Primary posterior capsulorhexis with and without anterior vitrectomy in congenital cataracts.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether anterior vitrectomy is necessary along with primary posterior capsulorhexis in children less than 5 years of age with congenital cataracts.


METHODS
Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.


METHODS
This prospective study comprised 18 eyes of 16 children whose mean age was 2.3 years (range 3 months to 5 years). Primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were performed in all eyes. No vitrectomy was done in 8 eyes (Group 1); an anterior vitrectomy was performed in 10 eyes (Group 2). Optic capture through the posterior capsule was achieved in 3 eyes in Group 1 and in 5 eyes in Group 2. Average follow-up was 13.3 months.


RESULTS
Five eyes (62.5%) in Group 1 needed secondary pars plana vitrectomy because the visual axis was obscured; no eye in Group 2 needed a secondary procedure. Four Group 1 eyes developed significant complications (updrawn pupil, decentration, occlusio pupillae, transient glaucoma). While no Group 2 eye developed a serious complication, some degree of pigment dispersion was noted in all the eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that anterior vitrectomy is desirable along with primary PCCC in children younger than 5 years with congenital cataracts.
Vasavada
A
A
Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India.
Desai
J
J
D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000601:surgery*; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy