EPILENTICULAR LENS IMPLANTATION VERSUS EXTRACAPSULAR CATARACT-EXTRACTION AND LENS IMPLANTATION IN CHILDREN

Purpose: To compare the results of epilenticular posterior chamber int raocular lens (IOL) implantation and pars plana lensectomy with those of extracapsular lens aspiration and posterior chamber IOL implantatio n in eyes with pediatric cataracts. Setting: Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Ne w Delhi, India. Methods: Forty eyes with childhood cataract of varied etiology were divided into two groups of 20 eyes each, matched by age, sex, and type of cataract. Group A had epilenticular IOL implantation with pars plana lensectomy. Group B had extracapsular lens aspiration with posterior chamber IOL implantation. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 3 years. Results: All 20 eyes in Group A maintained a clear pupillary a xis from the immediate postoperative period to the last follow-up. In Group B, 80% of eyes developed varying degrees of posterior capsule op acification (PCO), which hampered vision. In Group A, 95% of eyes had a visual acuity of 6/12 or better; only 45% of eyes in Group B achieve d a visual acuity of 6/60 or better. Conclusion: Although patients in both groups had good visual recovery, those having epilenticular IOL i mplantation with pars plana lensectomy maintained a clear pupillary ax is and did not develop PCO, preventing the need for secondary interven tion.