Sensory deviations subsequent to senile cataract.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with sensory deviations subsequent to senile cataract.

METHODS

Twenty patients with dense cataract and associated sensory deviations underwent follow-up between April 1996 and April 1998 after extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL implantation in the deviating eye. All patients underwent follow-up for a minimum period of 6 months.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, all patients had a visual acuity of PL positive (perception of light present) and PR (projection of rays) accurate in the deviating eye. Two patients had an esodeviation, and 18 patients had an exodeviation. Postoperatively, all patients had a corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in the operated eye at 12 weeks. Nineteen patients had ocular alignment within +/-8 prism diopters of orthophoria at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Sensory deviations subsequent to senile cataract usually resolve spontaneously after cataract surgery if visual gains are 20/40 or better. The prognosis for binocular vision is good.