Primary IOL implantation is successful in children under 2 years of age

The implantation of intraocular lenses (IOL) is safe and effective option for visual rehabilitation in children under 2 years of age, according to findings published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr Ramesh Kekunnaya et al., Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Center, Hyderabad, India, collected data from 120 eyes of 80 children with congenital/developmental cataract who underwent surgery between January 2006 and December 2007. Of the 120 eyes, 31 were operated on before they were 6 months of age and 89 eyes were operated on after 6 months of age. Rigid polymethylmethacrylate lenses were implanted in 30 eyes and acrylic hydrophobic foldable lenses were implanted in 90 eyes.

Five eyes demonstrated increased anterior chamber inflammation, 8 eyes experienced opacification of the visual axis, 2 eyes had decentration of IOL, 4 eyes experienced pigment dispersion on IOL and posterior synechiae were recorded in 5 eyes.

At the last follow-up there were no cases of glaucoma and no cases of endophthalmitis and retinal detachment. It was concluded that the implantation of IOLs in children below 2 years of age is a viable method for visual performance enhancement.