Pars plana capsulectomy and vitrectomy for posterior capsular opacification in pseudophakic children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pars plana capsulectomy and vitrectomy for posterior capsular opacification (PCO) in pseudophakic children.

METHODS

Pars plana capsulectomy and vitrectomy was performed for PCO in 63 pseudophakic eyes of 57 children with an infusion through sutureless clear cornea. The patients' ages ranged from 3 to 12 years (mean: 5.8 +/- 1.9 years). Surgical technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and corneal endothelial cell density were recorded.

RESULTS

The surgical procedure was performed uneventfully in all patients. The mean follow-up was 2.4 +/- 1.4 years (range: 6 months to 5.2 years). During the follow-up period, no incision leakage or other complications were noted and no eye developed recurrent PCO. All eyes had an improvement of visual acuity. Mean postoperative IOP was 13.8 +/- 2.6 mm Hg (range: 8 to 19 mm Hg). Mean overall endothelial cell loss was 3.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Pars plana capsulectomy and vitrectomy with an infusion through sutureless clear cornea appears to be a safe and effective approach for thick PCO in pseudophakic children.