Risk factors for complications after congenital cataract surgery without intraocular lens implantation in the first 18 months of life.
OBJECTIVE
To determine individual risk factors for the development of postoperative complications after pediatric cataract surgery in the first 18 months of life.


METHODS
Interventional, consecutive case series.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 71 eyes of 46 children who underwent surgery for congenital cataract within the first 18 months of life. A limbal approach bimanual lens aspiration, posterior capsulorrhexis, and anterior vitrectomy without intraocular lens implantation was performed in all children. We examined the interrelationships of operative and postoperative complications with other variables such as patient age, family history, or ocular abnormalities. The mean follow-up period was 39 months.


RESULTS
The most frequent postoperative complications were late-onset open-angle glaucoma (10.8%) and vitreous hemorrhage (10.8%), whereas early-onset glaucoma (4.6%) was less common. Secondary cataract was observed in seven eyes (9.2%). We determined a family history of aphakic glaucoma in first-degree relatives (P = .007) as well as cataract surgery in the first three months of life (P = .039) and nuclear cataracts (P = .0009) to be strong predictors of late-onset glaucoma. Secondary cataract formation was associated strongly with lensectomy in the first five months of life. The diagnosis of postoperative hemorrhages was associated significantly with the presence of persistent fetal vasculature (P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with preoperative predictors at presentation such as young age at the time of surgery, a family history of aphakic glaucoma, nuclear cataract, or persistent fetal vasculature syndrome offer a clear target for extensive postoperative care after congenital cataract surgery.
Kuhli-Hattenbach
Claudia
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. kuhli@med.uni-frankfurt.de
Lüchtenberg
Marc
M
Kohnen
Thomas
T
Hattenbach
Lars-Olof
LO
D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000209:etiology*; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital* / Q000209:etiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D054514:Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology