Introduction: Worldwide, an estimated 1.4 million children are blind, of whom approximately 190,000 (14%) are blind owing to bilateral un-operated cataract, complications of surgery, amblyopia due to delayed surgery, or the presence of other associated anomalies. Pediatric cataract blindness presents an enormous problem to developing countries in terms of human morbidity, economic loss, and social burden. Managing cataracts in children remains a challenge, even in the industrialized world. Treatment is often difficult and tedious and requires a dedicated team effort.
Aim of the work: To evaluate the experience with the surgical management of various types of pediatric cataract, managed at the Ophthalmology department, Sohag University Hospital during the period of the study
Patients and Methods: A prospective, randomized study, patients were divided into 3 groups based on the surgical technique they had undergone. Group A "25 patients" : patients who have undergone Lensectomy anterior vitrectomy (LAV). GroupB"24patients": patients who have undergone Extracapsular cataract extraction, primary posterior capsulorhexis or capsulotomy, anterior vitrectomy, and IOL implantation (ECCE/PPC/AV/IOL). Group C"26patients": patients who have undergone Extracapsular Cataract Extraction and IOL Implantation (ECCE/IOL)
Results: Uncorrected visual acuity was better than 6/60 in 27 eyes (27.8%); 13 (13.4%) in group B and 14 (14.4%) in group C. Acuity of 1/60 to 6/60 was measured in 5 eyes (5.1%); 3 (3.1%) in group B and 2 (2%) in group C. The remaining 5 eyes had visual acuity less than 1/60 and this was attributed to amblyopia.
Conclusion: IOL implantation at primary cataract surgery helps to prevent development of secondry glaucoma, but increases the number of interventions for VAO in infants.