Intraocular lens use in challenging pediatric cases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The technological advancement of intraocular lenses (IOLs) in recent years has increased their use in the pediatric population. This has led to the use of IOLs in children in whom they would not have been considered in the past. Yet, the majority of the literature looking at the use of specialty IOLs is in the adult literature. This review will look at the use of IOLs in special circumstances as reported in the pediatric population.

RECENT FINDINGS: A Medline search of the use of IOLs in children reveals 27 articles published in the past year. The data available on the use of IOLs in special circumstances in children are significantly less. This paper will review the safety and efficacy of the use of IOLs in children with uveitis. Options available to treat aphakia in children with inadequate support for posterior chamber IOLs are explored. Finally, the role of using multifocal and other specialty IOLs is reviewed.

SUMMARY: The use of IOL implantation in the pediatric population is evolving. There is much promise in using IOLs in specialty circumstances, but caution should be applied when using these new technologies in the pediatric population. Efforts must be made to study these areas within the pediatric population.