Infant cataracts no better with IOLs than contact lenses

Online research in the Archives of Opthalmology has reported that contact lenses for infants who had undergone surgery for unilateral congenital cataracts resulted in similar visual outcomes for those who received an IOL implant.

A total of 114 infants, aged between 1-6 months had cataract surgery and received either primary IOL implantation or contact lenses to correct aphakia. Visual acuity was then tested when the infants reached one year of age and no significant difference was found between the groups.

The authors, led by Dr Scott Lambert of Emory University in Atlanta wrote: “The theoretical long-term benefit of having the IOL in the capsular bag versus implanted in the ciliary sulcus as a secondary procedure cannot be quantified at this point. We suggest that practitioners continue to exercise caution when considering implanting IOLs in infants. The ultimate role for IOL implantation during infancy may be further clarified after a longer follow-up of these children.”