Primary posterior capsulorhexis with and without anterior vitrectomy in congenital cataracts

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To determine whether anterior vitrectomy is necessary along with primary posterior capsulorhexis in children less than 5 years of age with congenital cataracts. Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India. 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. 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. The results suggest that anterior vitrectomy is desirable along with primary PCCC in children younger than 5 years with congenital cataracts.