L. Lesueur et al., FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AFTER SURGICAL-TREATME NT IN INFANTS CATARACTS - AREVIEW OF 135 CASES, Journal francais d'ophtalmologie, 18(11), 1995, pp. 667-677
Purpose Visual outcome after cataract surgery in children. Methods The
authors studied the functional results (visual acuity and binocular v
ision) of 135 children operated for unilateral or bilateral cataracts
during the 9-year period 1985-1994. Aphakia was corrected by an implan
t within the capsular bag, spectacles or contact lenses. Results For b
ilateral cataracts, (68 patients), mean visual acuity > 20/40 and norm
al binocular vision are found together in cases of late appearance ope
rated after 7 months of age. Pseudophakic eyes regained visual acuity
greater than 20/40 more often than non-implanted eyes, with a statisti
cally significant differences (P < 0.001). Binocular vision was also o
btained more often in children after implantation (P < 0.05). The func
tional results of operations on early cataracts treated before the age
of 8 months were not as good because of abnormal development of the f
oveolar function. For unilateral cataracts (67 patients), the prognosi
s was poor when operated before the age of 8 months. Visual acuity rar
ely exceeded 20/200 however the aphakia was corrected. Prognosis was b
etter for partial cataracts and late-appearing cataracts. Implantation
appeared to be of more benefit, with a statistically significant diff
erence (P < 0.05) for visual acuity greater than 20/40 in children rec
eiving an implant. Conclusion Regained binocular vision and absence of
amblyopia depend on the quality of previous visual experience adn abs
ence of post-operative strabismus. Implantation appears beneficial for
final visual results.