Ocular axial length changes in pseudophakic children after traumatic and congenital cataract surgery

Accuracy of Intraocular lens power calculation in pediatric traumatic cataract

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prediction error (PE) in pediatric traumatic cataract surgery involving primary or secondary intraocular lens implantation (IOL) and the factors affecting it.

METHODS

Retrospective data of unilateral traumatic cataract eyes of children aged ≤16 years were collected between February 2019 and March 2022 at a tertiary eye care hospital. Absolute PE was calculated by deducting the target refraction from the observed refraction at 6 weeks postsurgery following suture removal. Simulated PE was calculated in eyes with corneal scar replacing the affected eye keratometry (K) with the K of the fellow eye and standard K (44D) and was then compared with absolute PE.

RESULTS

Fifty children with a mean age of 9.5 years (2-16 years) were included. Mean absolute PE was 1.63 ± 1.8D (0 to 9D). Absolute PE was not affected by the age at surgery, method of biometry, duration of injury, type of cataract surgery, position of IOL, and preoperative keratometry. The absolute PE was affected by axial length (AXL) being <1.5D in AXL of 22.73 ± 0.84 mm, <1.5-2D in AXL of 22.07 ± 0.61 mm, and >2D in AXL of 22.01 ± 0.74 mm ( P = 0.039) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, none of the factors affected the absolute PE. In 34 eyes with corneal scar, higher variability in PE was observed. The standard K resulted in greater simulated PE as compared to the affected eye average K in eyes with scar involving the visual axis.

CONCLUSION

Absolute PE following pediatric traumatic cataract was studied. It was higher in shorter AXLs. In corneal scar involving the visual axis, using the fellow eye K yielded lesser simulated PE as compared to standard K.

Postoperative complications and axial length growth after bilateral congenital cataract surgery: eyes with microphthalmos compared to a comparison group

PURPOSE

To investigate the postoperative clinical outcomes and axial length (AL) growth of infants with congenital cataracts and microphthalmos following first-stage cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

METHODS

Setting: Single centre. Infants with congenital cataract that met the inclusion criteria were classified into two groups: the microphthalmos and comparison groups. All infants underwent a thorough ophthalmologic examination before surgery, and one week, 1 month, 3 months, and every 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 21 infants (42 eyes) in the microphthalmos group and 29 infants (58 eyes) in the comparison group. More glaucoma-related adverse events were observed in the microphthalmos group (7 eyes, 16.7%) than in the comparison group (0 eyes, 0%) (p < 0.001). At each subsequent follow-up, the comparison group had a greater AL than the microphthalmos group (all p < 0.001), and AL growth was significantly higher in the comparison group than in the microphthalmos group (all p = 0.035). Visual acuity improvement in the microphthalmos group was similar to that of the comparison group.

CONCLUSION

Early surgical intervention improves visual function in infants with congenital cataracts and microphthalmos although with a higher incidence of glaucoma-related adverse events. After cataract removal, the AL growth of microphthalmic eyes is slower than that of normally developed eyes.

Visual axis opacification after pediatric cataract surgery - An analysis of morphology and etiology

PURPOSE

To investigate the morphological types and delineate the clinical and surgical variables associated with VAO in children undergoing pediatric cataract surgery.

METHODS

We included 33 eyes of 28 children who developed clinically significant visual axis opacification (VAO) after congenital or developmental cataract surgery. All eyes underwent a comprehensive examination under anesthesia followed by a membranectomy to clear the visual axis. We classified VAO into three subgroups: fibrotic, proliferative, and combined morphologies. We reviewed and analyzed the retrospective data and the findings during membranectomy to identify the etiological variables associated with various morphologies of VAO.

RESULTS

The median age at primary surgery was 7 (2-96) months. The median interval from primary surgery to the first documentation of VAO was 6 (1-22) months. Younger children developed VAO sooner than older children. VAO was fibrotic in 11 eyes (33%), proliferative in 18 eyes (54.5%), and combined in four eyes (12.12%). Most children with fibrotic VAO belonged to economically disadvantaged sections of society ( P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Lower age at primary surgery was the predominant risk factor for the development of VAO. Besides primary posterior capsulotomy and adequate anterior vitrectomy, a strict adherence to anti- inflammatory measures and follow up in necessary to prevent the occurrence of VAO. A close follow-up facilitates early detection and management, which can prevent the onset of visually impairing amblyopia.

Ocular biometric changes following unilateral cataract surgery in children

Purpose

To analyze ocular biometric changes following unilateral cataract surgery in children.

Methods

A total of 57 children aged under 13 years who underwent unilateral cataract surgery were analyzed. Groups were classified according to their age at surgery: group I (age <3), II (3≤ age <6), III (6≤ age <9), and IV (age ≥9). The myopic shift, axial growth, and corneal curvature changes were compared between the pseudophakic eyes and the fellow phakic eyes.

Results

During 7.81 ± 4.39 years, the overall myopic shift (D) and the rate of myopic shift (D/year) were significantly higher at -3.25 ± 3.21 D and -0.45 ± 0.44 D/year in the pseudophakic eyes than -1.78 ± 2.10 D and -0.22 ± 0.29 D/year in the fellow phakic eyes (P = 0.01, 0.004). Group I (-1.14 ± 0.66 vs -0.02 ± 0.45 D/year) and group II (-0.63 ± 0.37 vs -0.31 ± 0.29 D/year) showed significantly higher rate of myopic shift in the pseudophakic eyes than in the phakic eyes. The rate of myopic shift in the pseudophakic eyes decreased in the older age groups (P = 0.001). There was no significant between-eye difference in the changes in axial length and keratometric values postoperatively.

Conclusion

Following unilateral cataract surgery, a significant postoperative myopic shift was noticed in the pseudophakic eyes compared to the fellow phakic eyes in groups under 6 years old. Postoperative myopic shift and the resultant anisometropia should be considered when selecting the optimal power of IOL in young children requiring unilateral cataract surgery.

Deviations From Age-Adjusted Normative Biometry Measures in Children Undergoing Cataract Surgery: Implications for Postoperative Target Refraction and IOL Power Selection

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether pediatric eyes that deviate from age-adjusted normative biometry parameters predict variation in myopic shift after cataract surgery.

METHODS

This is a single institution longitudinal cohort study combining prospectively collected biometry data from normal eyes of children <10 years old with biometry data from eyes undergoing cataract surgery. Refractive data from patients with a minimum of 5 visits over ≥5 years of follow-up were used to calculate myopic shift and rate of refractive growth. Cataractous eyes that deviated from the middle quartiles of the age-adjusted normative values for axial length and keratometry were studied for variation in myopic shift and rate of refractive growth to 5 years and last follow-up visit. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine the association between myopic shift and rate of refractive growth and factors of age, sex, laterality, keratometry, axial length, intraocular lens power, and follow-up length.

RESULTS

Normative values were derived from 100 eyes; there were 162 eyes in the cataract group with a median follow-up of 9.6 years (interquartile range: 7.3-12.2 years). The mean myopic shift ranged from 5.5 D (interquartile range: 6.3-3.5 D) for 0- to 2-year-olds to 1.0 D (interquartile range: 1.5-0.6 D) for 8- to 10-year-olds. Multivariable analysis showed that more myopic shift was associated with younger age (P < .001), lower keratometry (P = .01), and male gender (P = .027); greater rate of refractive growth was only associated with lower keratometry measures (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Age-based tables for intraocular lens power selection are useful, and modest adjustments can be considered for eyes with lower keratometry values than expected for age.

A GEE model for predicting axial length after cataract surgery in children younger than 2 years of age

PURPOSE

To develop a model for predicting postoperative axial length (AL) in children undergoing cataract surgery younger than 2 years of age.

SETTING

The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, China DESIGN: Retrospective study.

METHODS

Children were included only if AL data were available before surgery and at least 1 year after surgery. Eyes were divided into pseudophakic, aphakic, and unaffected eye groups. Variables that could influence axial growth were analyzed and a multivariable generalized estimating equation regression model was developed to predict postoperative AL.

RESULTS

333 eyes from 190 patients were included. We observed a logarithmic linear correlation between age and AL in the unaffected eye group, AL = (2.7924 × log of age in months) + 17.607, R² = 0.6596. Meanwhile, The GEE model of eyes with cataracts can be written as follows: Postoperative AL = 6.408 + 0.611 × (baseline AL) + 0.007 × (baseline age) - -0.006 (baseline age) × (age at follow-up) - -0.391 × coefficient of surgery. The ages were recorded in months, the ALs were recorded in millimeter.

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of AL is one of the most important parts of successful postoperative management in congenital cataract patients. This study established an AL estimate formula for children aged ≤ 2 years with congenital cataract who underwent cataract surgery. This model theoretically could be used to predict individual future AL for child undergoing cataract surgery.

Axial Length Change in Pseudophakic Eyes Measured by IOLMaster 700

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in axial length (AL) after cataract surgery measured by swept source optical coherence tomography (IOLMaster 700), and explore ways to eliminate this AL measurement error in pseudophakic eyes.

Methods

Patients with cataract who underwent unilateral phacoemulsification with four types of intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation (Asphina 509M, Tecnis PCB00, enVista MX60, and Acrysof SN60WF) were enrolled. Bilateral AL measurements were performed before and 1 month after cataract surgery utilizing IOLMaster 700. The postoperative AL of the operated eye was evaluated using three different modes (phakic, aphakic, and pseudophakic), and the fellow eye was measured by phakic mode. Associations among the AL change and cataract grade, lens thickness, preoperative AL, or refractive index of IOL were investigated using stepwise multivariate linear regression.

Results

A total of 305 patients with cataract with mean age of 65.97 ± 13.39 years were recruited. The mean postoperative AL was 0.10 mm and 0.21 mm shorter than the pre-operative AL utilizing pseudophakic and phakic modes, respectively (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between pre-operative and postoperative AL using aphakic mode (P = 0.264). There were no significant associations among AL change in pseudophakic eye and cataract grade, lens thickness, pre-operative AL, or refractive index of IOL (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

A correction factor of 0.10 mm is suggested to eliminate AL measurement error of IOLMaster 700 in pseudophakic eyes before further improvement of AL measurement accuracy.

Translational Relevance

Our study may help to eliminate the AL measurement error of IOLMaster 700 in pseudophakic eyes.

Globe Axial Length Growth at Age 10.5 Years in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study

PURPOSE

To report the change in globe axial length (AL) from the time of unilateral cataract surgery at age 1-7 months to age 10.5 years for infants enrolled in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study, and to compare AL growth of operated eyes with that of fellow unoperated eyes.

DESIGN

Comparative case series.

METHODS

AL growth was analyzed relative to treated vs fellow eye, contact lens (CL) vs intraocular lens (IOL), visual acuity (VA) outcome, and the need for surgery for visual axis opacification. Eyes with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were excluded from the primary analysis but reported separately.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients have reliable AL data available at both visits. AL was shorter in treated eyes preoperatively (P < .0001) and at 10.5 years of age (P = .021) but AL growth was not different (4.7 mm, P = .99). The growth (70.2% up to age 5 and 29.8% from age 5 to 10.5) was similar in the CL and the IOL group (P = .79). Eyes grew 4.4 mm when visual acuity (VA) was better than 20/200, and 5.2 mm when VA was 20/200 or worse (P = .076). Eyes receiving additional surgery grew more than eyes not receiving additional surgery (P = .052). Patients with glaucoma showed significantly more eye growth (7.3 mm) than those without glaucoma (4.7 mm) and glaucoma suspects (5.1 mm) (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes with glaucoma or poor VA often grew longer than the fellow eye. Overall, treated eyes grew similarly in the IOL and CL groups and also kept pace with the growth of the fellow eyes.

Globe Axial Length Growth at Age 5 Years in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study

PURPOSE

To report the longitudinal change in axial length (AL) from the time of unilateral cataract surgery at age 1 to 7 months to age 5 years, and to compare AL growth of operated eyes with that of fellow unoperated eyes.

DESIGN

Comparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Infants enrolled in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS).

METHODS

The AL at baseline and age 5 years and change in AL were analyzed relative to treated versus fellow eye, visual outcome, and treatment modality (contact lens [CL] vs. intraocular lens [IOL]). Eyes with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were excluded from primary analysis but reported separately.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The AL growth from preoperative to age 5 years.

RESULTS

Seventy patients were eligible; however, AL data for both eyes were available for 64 patients at baseline and 69 patients at age 5 years. The AL was significantly different between treated and fellow eyes preoperatively (18.1 vs. 18.7 mm, P < 0.0001) and at the final follow-up (21.4 vs. 22.1 mm, P = 0.0004). The difference in AL growth between treated and fellow eyes was not significant (3.3 vs. 3.5 mm, P = 0.31). The change in AL in eyes was similar with both treatments (CL 3.2 mm and IOL 3.4 mm, P = 0.53) and did not correlate with visual outcomes (P = 0.85). Eyes receiving additional surgery to clear the visual axis opacification grew significantly more compared with eyes not receiving surgery to clear the visual axis (3.8 vs. 2.7 mm, P = 0.013). Patients with glaucoma showed significantly more eye growth (5.7 mm) than those without glaucoma (3.3 mm) and glaucoma suspects (4.3 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes treated for monocular cataract in infancy have axial growth similar to that of fellow eyes, despite having a shorter AL at the time of surgery. The change in AL in eyes was similar with both treatments (CL and IOL), did not correlate with visual outcomes, and was higher in eyes receiving additional surgery to clear the visual axis or eyes diagnosed with glaucoma.

Effect of unilateral congenital cataract surgery on ocular axial length growth and corneal flattening

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to study the effect of unilateral congenital cataract surgery on ocular growth and corneal flattening.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of 59 patients operated on due to a unilateral congenital cataract. The median age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 17 months (interquartile range, 5-39 months). The median age at cataract the time of surgery was 28 months (interquartile range, 8-52 months), and the mean follow-up between cataract surgery and assessments was 149.7±69.9 months (range, 30-319 months). Axial length and corneal curvature were measured in both operated and non-operated eyes, comparing the results between them.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences for axial length growth or corneal flattening between operated and non-operated eyes: axial length (P=.327, Student t test) and corneal curvature (P=.078, Student t test). A sub-analysis was performed using the visual acuity and the age of the patient at the time of surgery. The only statistically significant data (P=.007, Student t test) was a lower axial length in operated eyes compared to non-operated eyes, in the non-deep-amblyopia group.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant axial length growth modifications were observed between operated and non-operated eyes. Only the non-deep-amblyopia group presented with a lower axial length in the operated eyes compared to non-operated eyes. No significant differences in corneal flattening were found between groups after unilateral congenital cataract surgery.

Axial growth and binocular function following bilateral lensectomy and scleral fixation of an intraocular lens in nontraumatic ectopia lentis

PURPOSE

To evaluate binocular function (BF) and changes in axial length (AL) bilaterally in pseudophakic eyes of children after lensectomy and scleral fixation of an intraocular lens (IOL) for nontraumatic ectopia lentis.

METHODS

In 15 children who had undergone bilateral lensectomy and scleral fixation of an IOL for nontraumatic ectopia lentis, AL was measured preoperatively and at last follow-up, and BF was assessed at last follow-up. Axial growth was compared with the expected and observed patterns of normal eyes, and the results were compared between patients with isolated ectopia lentis and those with Marfan syndrome.

RESULTS

Ten of the 15 patients had Marfan syndrome. Mean age at surgery was 5.2 +/- 2.4 years; mean follow-up was 51.7 +/- 29.2 months. A mean axial growth rate of 0.39 mm/year during 51.7 postoperative months was greater than the expected (0.07 mm/year) or the observed (0.09-0.24 mm/year) rates in age-matched normal eyes. The axial growth rates in isolated ectopia lentis patients and Marfan patients were not significantly different (P = 0.159). Binocular fusion and stereoacuity of < or =800 seconds of arc were achieved by nine patients, and worse or no BF was achieved by the remaining six patients. These six patients were significantly more likely to have pre- or postoperative anisometropia of > or =3.0 D (66.6%) than the other nine patients (0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Because of greater than normal axial growth, more undercorrection of the IOL power is required than is usual in bilateral surgery for nontraumatic ectopia lentis. Good or moderate levels of postoperative BF were achieved in more than half of patients.

Intraocular pressure spikes in keratectasia, axial myopia, and glaucoma

PURPOSE

To review a range of activities associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes. To examine the possible significance of IOP spikes in conditions such as keratectasia, axial myopia, and glaucoma.

METHODS

Hypotheses concerning mechanisms for adverse responses to IOP spikes were examined.

RESULTS

Apart from the possibility that IOP spikes might cause susceptible corneal, posterior scleral, or optic nerve head tissue to yield to associated distending forces, there is the possibility that these tissues will be also be damaged by increased hydrostatic pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

In-office tonometry does not indicate the degree to which ocular tissues are exposed to IOP spikes. For eyes that are exposed to IOP spikes of longer duration, that occur frequently and which result in a larger IOP increment, the risk of an adverse response may be greater. Changes in ocular tissues because of increased hydrostatic pressure may include morphological cellular changes and alterations to enzyme function. Eye rubbing may be the most significant mechanism for creating IOP spikes because of the large IOP increments that may be involved, as well as the possibility that abnormal rubbing can become a chronic habit. As appears to be the case in keratoconus, asymmetric exposure to IOP spikes may help to explain some asymmetric presentations of post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, glaucoma, or myopia. Ideally methods for the objective assessment of patient risk for adverse responses to IOP spikes will continue to be developed. A self-administered questionnaire may help identify patients who are significantly exposed to IOP spikes. Family history may indicate an increased risk of diseases for which IOP spikes may have significant implications. Patient counseling regarding the possibility that IOP spiking activities may contribute to the development and/or progression of conditions such as keratectasia, axial myopia, and glaucoma may be indicated.

Unilateral axial length elongation with chronic traumatic cataracts in young Kenyans

PURPOSE

To assess whether unilateral axial elongation in chronic traumatic cataract is associated with the time interval from trauma to surgery.

SETTING

PCEA Kikuyu Hospital Eye Unit, Nairobi, Kenya.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients with traumatic cataract operated on between 1998 and 2007. Study patients (n = 13) had a delay from trauma to surgery of more than 1 year and an interocular axial length (AL) difference greater than 1.0 mm. Randomly selected age-matched control patients (n = 14) had less than 1 year delay between trauma and surgery. The correlation between interocular AL difference and surgical delay was calculated in each group.

RESULTS

The median interval from trauma to surgical treatment in study patients was 8 years (range 1 to 27 years). Study patients had a significantly higher median interocular AL difference (3.09 mm; interquartile range [IQR] 2.45 to 4.13 mm) than control patients (0.24 mm; IQR 0.15 to 0.30 mm) (P = .000). The length of delay from trauma to surgical treatment did not correlate strongly with the interocular AL difference in study or control patients (R(2) = 0.0143 and R(2) = 0.1697, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral AL elongation may occur in young adults with chronic traumatic cataract. Delay of more than 1 year from trauma to surgery was associated with axial elongation, although the degree of elongation did not correlate with duration of delay. Surgeons are advised to implant lower-power intraocular lenses in such patients based on biometry readings to avoid postoperative refractive surprises.

Systematic approach to pediatric ocular trauma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this article is to evaluate and review the scientific literature on pediatric ocular trauma from the past several years. Recent advancements have recognized mechanisms of injury that may be unique to children, require different treatment course than adults, and raise multiple public health concerns.

RECENT FINDINGS

Epidemiologic studies have shown that ocular trauma is a major cause of monocular blindness and potential disability in children worldwide. The mechanisms of injury are quite variable and often found under mundane circumstances. Orbital fractures in children are more likely to cause entrapment of orbital contents due to the structure of orbital bones at an early age and require earlier surgical repair. The management of traumatic hyphema responds well to outpatient care and topical aminocaproic acid. The management of traumatic cataracts has been enhanced with new iris-fixated lens implants. Endophthalmitis after ocular trauma carries a significantly worse prognosis, which may be reduced by early referral and intervention.

SUMMARY

This review broadens our understanding of the mechanisms, treatment, and prognostic indicators in pediatric ocular trauma. This will allow improved clinical care of these injuries.