Bilateral pediatric cataract surgery: outcomes of 390 children from Nepal and Northern India.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of bilateral pediatric cataract surgery from eastern Nepal and northern India.

METHODS

Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of 390 children who underwent surgery bilaterally between 2007 and 2009 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-two (10.8%) children came from Nepal and 348 (89.2%) from India (mainly Bihar State). Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with posterior capsule opening and anterior vitrectomy were achieved in 386 (99.0%) children bilaterally. Median age at surgery was 7 years and 69.2% were male. At first presentation, 243 (62.3%) of the children were blind (< 3/60 in the better eye). After more than 1 year, 53.5% had a normal visual status (range: 6/6 to 6/18), 5.6% of children were still blind, and mean refractive error spherical equivalent was +1.0 ± 2.4 diopters. Astigmatism changed from suture-induced with the rule at discharge to against the rule within 3 weeks of surgery. Mean long-term astigmatic error was 1.0 ± 0.9 diopters after 1 year. Glaucoma was rare.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in a setting with limited resources, successful, cost-effective, high-volume surgery for pediatric cataract is possible. Despite late presentation and limited follow-up, more than half achieved good outcomes after more than 1 year. Only 5.6% remained blind due to amblyopia or eye anomalies. Bilateral surgery during one hospital stay, IOL implantation with undercorrection according to age, aggressive surgery to prevent secondary cataract, intensive anti-inflammatory therapy, and provision of durable, high-quality spectacles to take home all proved beneficial because many children cannot attend for regular follow-up.