Twenty-five-gauge sutureless lensectomy in infants with congenital cataract.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications of transconjunctival 25-gauge (25G) sutureless pars plicata lensectomy.

METHODS

The medical records of patients <12 months of age with congenital cataracts who underwent 25G sutureless lensectomy were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated at postoperative days 1, 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 and every 3 months thereafter. Visual acuity outcomes and intra- and postoperative complications were described and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 72 eyes of 44 infants were included; 28 patients (64%) had bilateral cataract. Median follow-up was 28 months (range, 12-93 months). In 47 eyes (81%) there was improved visual acuity after surgery. Intraoperative adverse events occurred in 9 eyes (13%). Postoperative complications occurred in 14 eyes (19%): 6 eyes (8%) had secondary visual axis opacification, 6 eyes (8%) had secondary glaucoma, 1 eye (1%) had posterior synechiae, and 1 eye (1.4%) had retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

Transconjunctival pars plicata 25G sutureless lensectomy is a minimally invasive technique for congenital cataract treatment. No postoperative complications were observed in 81% of eyes. Visual acuity improved in 81% of the operated eyes.