Outcome of superior manual small-incision cataract surgery in pediatric age group - A five year retrospective study at a tertiary eye hospital in Karnataka

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze intraoperative difficulties and visual and surgical outcomes following pediatric cataract surgery. Methods: This five-year retrospective study (2014–2019) included 138 eyes (85 children) with cataract aged between 12 months and 18 years (either sex). All children had undergone best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior and posterior segment evaluation, intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation, superior manual-small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with or without posterior capsulotomy/anterior vitrectomy and IOL implantation under general or local anesthesia, visual rehabilitation, and had been followed up for a minimum period of 12 months. Results: The mean age was 111.27 ± 4.84 months. Preoperative BCVA distance: 113 (81.88%)eyes had BCVA N36 in 123 (89.13%) eyes. Improvement in BCVA was statistically significant. Intraoperative scleral tunnel difficulties were seen in three eyes (thin flap in two, and buttonhole in one eye); in the majority of the eyes 113 (81.88%), IOL was placed in the bag. Twenty eyes had early postoperative inflammation. At last follow-up: posterior capsular opacity was recorded in six eyes, IOL decenteration in two eyes, secondary glaucoma in six eyes, and severe amblyopia in 36 (26.09%) eyes. The mean myopic shift was − 1.11 ± 0.89 D and was statistically significant. Conclusion: Superior MSICS as a treatment for pediatric cataract has minimal intraoperative complications and satisfactory visual and surgical outcomes.

Keywords

• pediatric cataract
• retrospective
• superior msics
• surgical outcome
• visual outcome