Сongenital cataract surgery and aphakia correction results in children of early age

Purpose. To analyze the results of congenital cataract surgery and aphakia correction in children of early age fulfilled in the Ufa Eye Research Institute during 30 years.
Materials and methods. Comparative analysis of inborn cataract operations results in young children treated between 1980 and 2009 was applied.
Results and discussions. The technique choice tactics for aphakia correction in children of early age, either surgical or optical one, were determined considering advantages and disadvantages of each method. It was confirmed that the presence of postoperative ametropia in children with pseudophakia connected with eye growth did not influence on visual functions so negatively as the total absence of aphakia correction. Up-to-date technologies make this task more decisive, i.e. on pseudophakia background one can use contact or spectacle correction, as well as eximer laser interference.
Conclusions. Main element of congenital cataract surgical treatment in children appears of early age to be efficient aphakia correction. The preference should be made for primary IOL implantation and children’s age depending on the character of crystalline lens opacity (in total opacity it can be implanted at first weeks of life).