Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children and adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Charts of 7 patients (10 eyes) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis who had phacoemulsification cataract surgery between December 2002 and March 2005 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Ten eyes of 7 patients had phacoemulsification with IOL implantation done by a single surgeon. A heparin surface modified IOL was used in 7 eyes and a foldable acrylic IOL was used in 3 eyes. At final follow-up, 70% of eyes had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better and 30% had improved visual acuity to 20/60. Posterior capsular opacification was found in 2 eyes and anterior capsular fibrosis in 1 eye.

CONCLUSION

Keys to success following cataract surgery in juvenile idiopathic arthritis are the age of the child, the absence of amblyopia, and strict preoperative and postoperative control of inflammation.