Role of swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography in imaging pediatric cataract

Purpose: To determine the morphology of pediatric cataracts and assess the status of the anterior and posterior capsules preoperatively on swept?source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) and compare the findings to those of intraoperative examination. Secondly, we aimed to obtain biometric measurements on ASOCT and compare them to those obtained on A?scan/optical methods. Methods: This was a prospective and observational study carried out at a tertiary care referral institute. ASOCT scans for anterior segment were obtained preoperatively for all patients, aged <8 years, scheduled for paediatric cataract surgery. The morphology of the lens and capsule and biometry were performed on ASOCT and the same were assessed intraoperatively. The main outcome measures were comparison of ASOCT findings to intraoperative findings. Results: The study included 33 eyes of 29 patients (range 3 months–8 years). The morphological characterization of cataract on ASOCT was accurate in 31/33 (94%) cases. ASOCT accurately identified fibrosis and rupture of the anterior and posterior capsules in 32/33 (97%) cases each. In 30% of eyes, ASOCT gave additional information preoperatively compared to the slit lamp. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) calculation revealed a good agreement between the keratometry values obtained on ASOCT and those obtained preoperatively with a handheld/optical keratometer (ICC = 0.86, P = 0.001). Conclusion: ASOCT is a valuable tool that could provide complete preoperative information of the lens and capsule in pediatric cataract cases. In children as young as 3 months of age, intraoperative risks and surprises could be diminished. The keratometric readings are highly dependent on patient cooperation but show good agreement with the handheld/optical keratometer readings.

Risk Factors of Secondary Glaucoma after Congenital Cataract Surgery in Korean Patients

PURPOSE: To assess the risk of development of secondary glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery using a long-term follow-up study. METHODS: In total, 148 eyes of 91 patients who underwent congenital cataract surgery at our hospital or other hospitals were included in a retrospective chart review. A diagnosis of secondary glaucoma was made if the intraocular pressure (IOP) exceeded 21 mmHg and the corneal diameter, axial length, or the cup-to-disc ratio increased, or surgery was performed to control the IOP. To analyze the clinical features and risk factors of secondary glaucoma, we evaluated the mean age at cataract surgery, binocularity, presence of a nuclear cataract, methods of cataract surgery, presence of an intraocular lens (IOL), duration of diagnosis of secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery, duration of follow-up, recent best-corrected visual acuity, and refractive errors. RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes (23.6%) were diagnosed with secondary glaucoma as a complication of congenital cataract surgery. Of these, 11 eyes (31.4%) were treated with glaucoma surgery a mean of 3.4 times. The mean duration from congenital cataract surgery to diagnosis of glaucoma was 112.2 ± 113.1 months. Patients with aphakia had a higher risk of developing secondary glaucoma compared with patients undergoing primary IOL implantation (p = 0.001). Younger age (<3 months at surgery), a nuclear cataract, and aphakia were risk factors for the development of secondary glaucoma (p = 0.03, p = 0.006, and p < 0.001, respectively), and the risk of developing secondary glaucoma increased with secondary IOL implantation (p = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Secondary glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery was more common in patients with secondary IOL implantation, aphakia, a younger age (<3 months), and a nuclear cataract. Patients who underwent congenital cataract surgery had an increased risk for developing secondary glaucoma. Long-term monitoring of the IOP and optic nerve is therefore required for these patients.

Comparison of Delayed-Onset Glaucoma and Early-Onset Glaucoma after Infantile Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate the causes and characteristics of glaucoma in children following cataract surgery. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (37 eyes) with uncomplicated congenital cataracts who developed glaucoma after cataract surgery were studied retrospectively. Variables included cataract morphology, surgical techniques, post-operative complications, time to the onset of glaucoma, gonioscopic findings, presence of microcornea and the histopathologic characteristics of the filtration angle (in one case). RESULTS: There was a bimodal onset of glaucoma after cataract surgery. Early-onset glaucoma occurred at a mean age of 6 months in 15 eyes and delayed-onset glaucoma at a mean age of 12 years in 22 eyes. Early-onset glaucoma was significantly (p=0.018) more likely to be due to angle closure than delayed-onset glaucoma. With delayed-onset glaucoma, the filtration angle was open in 86% of eyes and significantly (p=0.006) more eyes in the delayed-onset group had microcornea. Medical treatment was sufficient to control intraocular pressure in the delayed-onset group while the early-onset group required surgical treatment (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The onset of glaucoma after cataract surgery during infancy follows a bimodal pattern that is correlated with the configuration of the filtration angle. The early-onset glaucoma group had high incidence of angle closure requiring surgical treatment, while in the delayed-onset group non-surgical treatment was sufficient to control intraocular pressure. Prophylactic iridectomy in eyes at risk for pupillary block is recommended. Eyes with delayed-onset glaucoma have open filtration angles yet also have findings of incomplete development of filtration structures. Microcornea is a risk factor for delayed-onset glaucoma.