10-Year Outcomes of Pediatric Cataract Surgery with Foldable Intraocular Lens Implantation and Posterior Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the long-term outcomes of pediatric cataract surgeries performed with modern surgical techniques involving in-the-bag implantation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from 42 eyes in 30 patients who underwent surgery at 6 years and younger (average 2.5 ± 2.3 years) and were followed up for an average of 12.2 ± 2.4 years (10–17 years). Surgical procedures included anterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), lens removal, posterior CCC, anterior vitrectomy, and in-the-bag IOL implantation. There were 18 unilateral (2.7 ± 2.3 years) and 12 bilateral cases (2.3 ± 2.3 years), with no significant age difference between groups (p = 0.462). RESULTS: The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the final visit was 0.453 ± 0.488 (logMAR), correlating significantly with the age at surgery (r = −0.307, p = 0.048). The unilateral group had a worse BCVA (0.658 ± 0.615) than the bilateral group (0.298 ± 0.294) (p < 0.001). On average, eyes showed a myopic shift of −6.0 ± 6.3D, which significantly correlated with surgical age (r = 0.402, p = 0.008). While the myopic shift was −8.2 ± 6.1 D in the unilateral group and −4.9 ± 6.4 D in the bilateral group, the net shift for unilateral cases (comparing pseudophakic and fellow eyes) was −4.8 D. Three eyes (7.1%) exhibited suspected glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure), but no glaucoma or other severe complications were noted. IOL exchange surgery was necessary in two eyes (4.8%) due to pronounced myopic drift and significant IOL decentration. Three eyes (7.1%) required surgery for significant visual axis opacification. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary surgical strategies appear to yield promising long-term outcomes in patients with infantile cataracts.