Evaluation of Changing Axial Length in Eyes after Paediatric Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

Background: Evaluation of changing axial length in eyes after paediatric cataract surgery. Aim – To assess the change in axial length of eye after paediatric cataract surgery which will help us to determine the amount of under-correction required in IOL power with increase in age. Methods: 32 patients were divided in three age groups; 0-2 years, 2-5 years and 5-10 years. Post cataract surgery, in all the patients axial length measurement, intraocular pressure recording and cycloplegic refraction was done at 6month, 1 year and after 2year of surgery. An unpaired T-test was performed to check the significance of study. Results: The change in axial length in first group(0-2 years) was higher at the end of 2 years (1.82mm) than second (1.74mm) and the third group (0.85mm). The mean axial growth of aphakic eye was higher (1.65mm) than the pseudophakic eyes of the same age group. Maximum growth rate (40-56% of the total growth) was observed in the first 6months of surgery in all the three groups. Myopic eyes in group 2 had higher mean axial growth (2.28) than the non-myopic eyes (1.28) of the same study group. Myopic eyes in the other group also had higher growth rate. Conclusion: Paediatric eye is a growing system with an eminent myopic shift which necessitates the required adjustment in IOL power to achieve emmetropia at adult age. As the rate of growth in axial length is maximum between 0-2 years of age, the required reduction in IOL power is more in this group to achieve the final status of emmetropia.