Phacoemulsification and foldable acrylic IOL implantation in children with treated retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To study the results of cataract surgery in children with radiation-induced cataract after treatment for retinoblastoma.

METHODS

Retrospective interventional case series. Six consecutive patients diagnosed with secondary cataracts due to radiation therapy for retinoblastoma.

INTERVENTION: Phacoemulsification and foldable acrylic intraocular lens implantation.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Visual acuity, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Aspirated lens material and aqueous humor samples were collected during surgery.

RESULTS

Six uniocular children between 3 to 5 years of age at time of surgery were studied. The mean time interval between radiotherapy and cataract diagnosis was 22.3 months. The mean follow-up after surgery was 17.2 months (range: 12 to 23 months). All eyes achieved a clear visual axis after surgery allowing monitoring of the tumor status. None developed recurrence or retinoblastoma dissemination. Histopathological analysis of the aspired material showed no tumoral cells in all samples. All patients improved vision after cataract surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Phacoemulsification with acrylic intraocular lens implantation seems to be a safe, feasible, and effective method for the removal of radiation-induced cataracts in patients with treated retinoblastoma.