INTRAOCULAR-LENS IMPLANTATION IN CHILDREN IN THE WEST-BANK AND GAZA

In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in paediatric aphakia, we reviewed the records of a cons ecutive series of 40 children, under 15 years of age, who had IOLs ins erted for congenital and developmental cataracts between September 199 0 and December 1992. Visual results and lens-induced complications wer e evaluated in 67 eyes with a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 12-38 months). In 52 eyes the cataract was removed by limbal lens aspiratio n and in 15 eyes by pars plicata lens aspiration, One-piece PMMA Sinsk ey-type posterior chamber implants were used in all cases, Sixty-three eyes had primary and 4 eyes secondary implants, Seventeen (49%) of 35 eyes,vith congenital cataract and 25 (78%) of 32 eyes with developmen tal cataract achieved a visual acuity of 6/18 or better, Marked anteri or uveitis with pupillary membrane formation occurred in 9 (13%) of th e 67 eyes. Visually significant posterior capsule opacification occurr ed in 5 (28%) of the 18 eyes with intact capsule, Our results demonstr ate the suitability of IOL implantation in children from an area of lo w socioeconomic background, and suggest that IOL implantation is an ef fective and safe procedure for correction of paediatric aphakia. This may have implications for similar populations.