Modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration for severely subluxated lenses

Outcomes of surgical intervention in cases of ectopia lentis

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention in cases of ectopia lentis.

Methods:

This retrospective study included all cases of ectopia lentis that presented between June 2015 and March 2019 in a tertiary care center. They were reviewed retrospectively. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), severity of lens subluxation, type of surgery, intra-operative and post-operative complication, and specular count were recorded.

Results:

Seventy-eight eyes of 57 cases with a mean age at surgery of 14.73 years were analyzed. Intra-lenticular lens aspiration was the most common (n-62/78; 79.5%) surgical procedure followed by lens aspiration, intra-capsular cataract extraction, phaco-aspiration, and pars-plana lensectomy. Simultaneous intra-ocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed in 46.2% (n-32/78) of the eyes. The mean CDVA improved from 0.85 ± 0.55 logMAR to 0.44 ± 0.29 logMAR at 6 weeks follow-up. The post-operative CDVA was significantly better in the pseudo-phakic group compared to the aphakic group (p-0.02). The patient’s age at the time of surgery and the degree of subluxation did not impact the final visual outcome. Intra-operative complication included vitreous hemorrhage (n-1) and lens matter drop (n-1). Post-operative complications were noted in 26.9% of the eyes (n-21/78) with a higher complication rate in the pseudo-phakic group (p-0.00). A second intervention was required in 7.7% of the eyes (n-6/78).

Conclusion:

Age and degree of subluxation at the time of surgery do not influence the final visual outcome in cases of ectopia lentis undergoing lens extraction surgery. IOL implantation results in better visual outcomes but is associated with a high complication rate.

Management of the subluxated crystalline lens: A review

Cataract surgery for the subluxated crystalline lens is challenging. A thorough preoperative evaluation is important to determine the appropriate surgical approach for lens removal and the subsequent technique of intraocular lens placement. Important considerations include the extent and location of zonular weakness, and whether the zonular deficiency is caused by a static or progressive disease. The capsular bag should be preserved where possible. Creating a good-sized and centred continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis is crucial to facilitate the use of capsular retractors and capsular tension devices, which provide capsular stability. Nucleus sculpting and rotation should be minimised to reduce zonular stress. Being cognisant of the possible intraoperative complications that may occur at each stage of the surgery and knowing how to reduce the risk of these complications occurring will enable surgeons to perform safe cataract surgery in these complex cases.

Intra-lenticular lens aspiration in paediatric cases with anterior dislocation of lens

PURPOSE

To assess the outcomes of intra-lenticular lens aspiration (ILLA) in paediatric cases with anterior dislocation of lens.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records of cases with anterior dislocation of the lens in children (age < 16 years) that underwent ILLA between June 2017 and May 2018 was performed. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and anterior segment findings were noted at presentation and follow-up. Surgical notes were reviewed for all cases. Post-operative central corneal thickness (CCT) and central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded.

RESULTS

Eleven eyes of eight patients with a median age of ten years underwent ILLA. There were four males and four females. The median duration of symptoms was 2 months, CDVA was 1.77 logMAR, and IOP was 16 mm of Hg. Ten eyes had corneo-lenticular touch with corneal oedema, and two had raised IOP at presentation. Homocystinuria (n = 2/8), Microspherophakia (n = 2/8), Marfan syndrome (n = 1/8), Buphthalmos (n = 1/8) and Ectopia lentis et pupillae (n = 1/8) were the identifiable causes for anterior dislocation. There were no intra-operative complications in any case. Immediate post-operative corneal oedema and raised IOP was observed in nine and three cases respectively and was treated with medical therapy. The median post-operative CDVA and IOP at 6-months was 1 logMAR and 15 mm of Hg respectively. The median CCT and CMT were 516 and 248 μm respectively. Five eyes developed a central corneal descemet scar.

CONCLUSIONS

ILLA is a safe and effective technique for surgical removal of an anteriorly dislocated lens in paediatric cases.

Pediatric cataract

Pediatric cataract is a leading cause of childhood blindness. Untreated cataracts in children lead to tremendous social, economical, and emotional burden to the child, family, and society. Blindness related to pediatric cataract can be treated with early identification and appropriate management. Most cases are diagnosed on routine screening whereas some may be diagnosed after the parents have noticed leukocoria or strabismus. Etiology of pediatric cataract is varied and diagnosis of specific etiology aids in prognostication and effective management. Pediatric cataract surgery has evolved over years, and with improving knowledge of myopic shift and axial length growth, outcomes of these patients have become more predictable. Favorable outcomes depend not only on effective surgery, but also on meticulous postoperative care and visual rehabilitation. Hence, it is the combined effort of parents, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and optometrists that can make all the difference.