CATARACT-SURGERY IN CHILDREN WITH CAPSULORHEXIS OF ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR CAPSULES AND HEPARIN-SURFACE-MODIFIED INTRAOCULAR LENSES

Cataract surgery was performed in 21 eyes in 14 children (one to 12 ye ars, 5.6 +/- 4.0 [mean +/- SD]). Cataract surgery was standardized and included capsulorhexis of the anterior capsule, irrigation/aspiration of the nucleus and cortex, puncture of the posterior capsule, injecti on of sodium hyaluronate (Healon GV(R), 14 mg/ml) between the posterio r capsule and the vitreous, and capsulorhexis of the posterior capsule . At the end of the procedure, a heparin-surface-modified (HSM) poly-( methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in the capsu lar bag. Follow-up ranged from four to 16 months. No complications suc h as the appearance of vitreous in the anterior chamber occurred durin g surgery. A mild postoperative inflammation was seen in all cases. Op acification of the visual axis was seen in one eye ten months after su rgery. Posterior synechial formation was seen in one eye. Our results suggest that capsulorhexis of the anterior and posterior capsules with implantation of an HSM IOL in the capsular bag is a safe procedure in children and produces good postoperative results.