title: Optical correction of aphakia following unilateral infantile cataract removal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare primary intra-ocular lens (IOL) implantation with use of press-on spherical lens for aphakia correction following unilateral infantile cataract removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty infants with a unilateral cataract underwent cataract surgery and were randomly assigned to the IOL (A group) or no IOL group (B group). Residual refractive error was corrected with spectacles in the A group and a press-on spherical lens was used to treat aphakia in the B group. Grating visual acuity (VA) was measured and patients were followed for up to 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LogMAR VA in the operated eyes of both groups was significantly better 1 year than 1 month after surgery. Mean logMAR VA difference between 1 year and 1 month after surgery was higher in the A group (0.457 ± 0.110) than in the B group (0.323 ± 0.114, p < 0.0001). Serious inflammation occurred significantly more often in the A group than in the B group (p = 0.007). Visual axis opacity occurred more often in the A group than in the B group (pupillary membrane: A: six eyes, 20%, B: none, p = 0.024; lens reproliferation: A: 10 eyes, 33%, B: two eyes, 7%, p = 0.021). Glaucoma occurred equally in both groups (p = 0.612). No other complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary IOL implantation appears to be a relatively safe, effective optical correction strategy following unilateral cataract extraction in this age group. Patients for whom an IOL is not suitable can be treated with a press-on spherical lens for optical correction.
authors.affiliation: Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Te
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Zhong-En
authors.initials: ZE
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Xing-Rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xin
mesh_terms: D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000601:surgery*; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001458:Bandages; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007223:Infant; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
keywords: cataract; infant; intra-ocular lens; press-on spherical lens