Four-point fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses in children with unilateral aphakia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of 4-point scleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) in children.

SETTING

Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised 20 aphakic eyes of 20 children. Preoperative investigations proved the absence of adequate posterior capsule support. All patients had ab externo 4-point scleral fixation of a PC IOL. All preoperative and postoperative data were studied and analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative age was 7.7 years (range 4 to 11 years). The mean follow-up was 19.35 months (range 13 to 30 months). The preoperative findings included a best corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better in 8 eyes (40%), corneal scarring in 18 eyes, sector iridectomy in 7 eyes, and after-cataract in 4 eyes. The intraoperative complications included vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes and slippage of 1 suture in 1 eye. Postoperative complications included mild anterior uveitis in 12 eyes and severe fibrinoid reaction in the anterior chamber in 8 eyes. There were no cases of suture exposure, IOL malpositioning, or infection. Twelve patients (60%) had a visual acuity of 6/18 or better. The cause of the poor visual outcome in many patients was preexisting amblyopia.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that 4-point scleral fixation is an option to correct aphakia in children. However, long-term follow-up is important to assess the procedure's safety.