Treatment of congenital cataract by scleral tunnel incision without ultrasounds

Purpose: Congenital cataract surgery can be performed by pars plana or limb al incision. We report our experience with scleral incision without ultraso unds in congenital cataract surgery. Material and methods : Fifteen children with congenital cataract underwent surgery of both eyes (30 eyes). The zonular ciliaris and the lens anlage we re normal in all cases. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. A 3.2 mm scleral tunnel incision was made 2 mm from the limbus. Large capsu lorhexis or capsulopuncture were performed after injection of a viscoelasti c substance in the anterior chamber. After hydrodissection, the nucleus and cortex were aspirated. The wound was closed by apposition suture. Results: The mean age was 70.13 months (range 5 months to 130 months). Mean induced astimatism calculated with the Gravy method was 0.70 dipoters. A p osterior capsular tear was observed in 1 case. Conclusion: Small scleral incision without ultrasounds has advantages. No e xpensive instruments are required and astimatism is not induced. The anteri or chamber lies deep during the operation, protecting the endothelial cells and facilitating aspiration. Postoperative inflammation is minimal. The sm all scleral incision technique is useful in selected cases of congenital ca taract.