Heparin-surface-modified intraocular lenses in pediatric cataract surgery:Prospective randomized study

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of heparin-surface-modified (HSM) intr aocular lenses (IOLs) in pediatric eyes after cataract surgery. Setting: L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-masked, controlled clinical t rial comprised 90 children aged 2 to 14 years with cataract. The patients w ere consecutively randomized to receive an HSM (Group 1) or an unmodified ( Group 2) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOL. Extracapsular cataract extra ction (ECCE) with IOL implantation was performed in children 8 years and ol der and ECCE with primary posterior capsulotomy, anterior vitrectomy, and I OL implantation in children younger than 8 years. Outcome parameters were i nflammatory cell deposits on the IOL surface, posterior synechias, and ante rior chamber reaction. Results: Follow-up data were available for 73, 70, 60, and 68 patients at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively, Significantly fewer c ell deposits were noted in Group 1 at 1, 3, and 6 months (P <.001). Synechi a formation and anterior chamber reaction were comparable in the 2 groups. Conclusion: The lower incidence of inflammatory cell deposit formation in e yes with HSM PMMA IOLs indicates that these IOLs have greater bicompatibili ty than unmodified IOLs in pediatric cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract S urg 1999, 25. 782-787 (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.