Long-term follow-up of eye growth in pediatric patients after unilateral cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the refractive status, axial length, and refractive power of the cornea in pediatric patients after unilateral cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation.

METHODS

Refractive state, refractive power of cornea, and axial length were measured both in the operated and nonoperated eyes in 15 patients (age at surgery = 5 to 15 years; mean, 10.3) before and 4 to 15 years (mean, 9.7) after unilateral cataract surgery.

RESULTS

After surgery, visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 79% of operated eyes. Myopic changes, representing the difference between postoperative refraction at last follow-up and postoperative refraction at 1 year after surgery, were noted in the operated eyes at the end of study (mean, -5.02 D), but there were no significant differences in axial length (Wilcoxon signed rank test P >.05) or refractive power of the cornea between operated and nonoperated eyes (paired Student t test P >.05).

CONCLUSION

Myopic shift after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation may occur even in older children.