Visual outcome following the reduction or cessation of patching therapy after early unilateral cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact on visual acuity of reducing or abandoning patching therapy during the first 6 years of life following early unilateral cataract surgery.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 9 children with unilateral congenital cataracts who underwent cataract surgery when 6 weeks or younger. All had good compliance with optical correction until 6 years of age and with patching therapy until at least 12 months of age.


RESULTS
The children underwent cataract surgery at a mean (SD) age of 21.7 (9.5) days. At 12 months of age, the children were patched a mean (SD) of 6.7 (2.4) hours/d. Patching compliance declined steadily thereafter. By 6 years of age, they were only being patched a mean (SD) of 1.7 (2.0) hours/d. Four of the 9 children abandoned patching prior to the 6-year examination. Acuities improved or remained the same for 3 of these children but worsened for 1 child by 2 lines.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that some children who undergo early unilateral cataract surgery and are compliant with their optical correction and patching during early childhood can maintain a good visual outcome even if patching therapy is reduced or discontinued prior to their sixth birthday.
Lambert
Scott R
SR
Emory Eye Center, 1365-B Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. slamber@emory.edu
Plager
David A
DA
Lynn
Michael J
MJ
Wilson
M Edward
ME
D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010349:Patient Compliance; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*