The preliminary report of epikeratophakia in the treatment of pediatric aphakia after traumatic cataract extraction.

PURPOSE: To study the role of epikeratophakia in treating pediatric unilateral aphakia after traumatic cataract extraction.

METHODS

We performed epikeratophakia in 43 children to treat aphakia after traumatic cataract extraction, using the corneal lenses made by ourselves. The rehabilitation of the the postoperative vision and the prevention of amblyopia were observed with a mean follow-up period of 20 months.

RESULTS

All the lenses remained transparent. Postoperatively, 31 cases (72.1%) achieved uncorrected visual acuities (V.A) over 0.2, 32 cases (74.4%) achieved corrected V.A over 0.4. Most of the cases achieved the best preoperative corrected V.A with spectacles of less than 3 diopters. No severe complication occurred.

CONCLUSION

Epikeratophakia is predictable with quality lens and correct surgical technique. The result suggests that the epikeratophakia is one of the best treatment for the pediatric aphakia especially for those who are not optimal for IOL implantation.