title: Evolution of postoperative astigmatism after large incision PMMA lens implantation in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the evolution of postoperative astigmatism after cataract extraction and lens implantation in children through a 6.5 mm limbal incision.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective longitudinal study of consecutive pediatric patients with adequate follow-up who underwent cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation through a 6.5 mm limbal incision. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative astigmatism and spherical equivalent were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 92 eyes of 73 children met the inclusion criteria. The mean cylindrical correction on the first postoperative day was 6.6 ± 2.3 D (range, 1.00-13.00 D). This dropped to 1.9 ± 1.7 D between 2 and 4 weeks and 1.2 ± 1.0 D (range, 0-3.25 D) by 3 months postoperatively. The mean spherical equivalent was +0.5 D on the first postoperative day and did not change significantly during the follow-up period. The mean astigmatism preoperatively (1.2 ± 0.8 D) and 3 months postoperatively (1.2 ± 1.0 D) were not statistically different (p = 0.9). There was no statistically significant change in astigmatism between 1 and 3 months and 1 and 2 years (p = 0.16, n = 33).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Large cylindrical refractive errors after pediatric cataract surgery through a 6.5 mm limbal incision resolve postoperatively within 3 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Erick D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bothun
authors.forename: C Starck
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Monte A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Del Monte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate