Visual quality observation of clear lens extraction by ultrasonic phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in a child with microspherophakia: A case report

RATIONALE: Microspherophakia is characterized by a small, spherical crystalline lens with increased sagittal diameter. Because of the uncertainty about the outcome, as well as the complexity of the operation and development of complications, the management and timing of surgical intervention for microspherophakia are still debated. Lens extraction is effective for avoiding the risk of pupillary blockage, but the outcome after operation is controversial. The iTrace (Tracey, USA) report shows the influence of low-order aberrations (LOA) and high-order aberrations (HOA), which may be valuable in predicting postoperative outcome. Our report concerns a child with microspherophakia who underwent lens extraction via the analysis of visual quality by iTrace. PATIENT CONCERNS: Our report is on the case of a 7-year-old girl whose parents observed she had to bring her papers and books extremely close to her face to read. On examination, the girl was bilaterally diagnosed microspherophakia with a small tremble lens. The objective refraction was −15.0 diopter of spherical power (DS)/−1.00 diopter of cylindrical power (DC) × 180 right eye (OD) and −12.5 DS/−1.50 DC × 20 left eye (OS). The HOA of OD and OS were high up to 0.926 and 0.659, respectively by iTrace. The visual quality remained terrible after correcting LOA (high myopia and astigmatism). According to iTrace report, the patient would get a good visual quality by extracting the clear lens with HOA from cornea after correcting LOA. The girl's parent opted for surgery on the left eye. DIAGNOSIS: Due to the patient's symptoms, examination results, she was diagnosed with microspherophakia. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent clear lens extraction by ultrasonic phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. OUTCOMES: The first day after operation, total HOA was decreased to 0.077. Total LOA was 0.713. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) is 20/20. One week after surgery, HOA was 0.110 and LOA was 0.328. CDVA was 20/25. CDVA was still 20/25 one month after surgery. The total HOA was 0.110 and the LOA was 0.334 by iTrace. LESSONS: ITrace not only plays an important role in analyzing potential reasons of undesirable preoperative visual quality but also can predict postoperative outcomes. All these functions are helpful for determining surgical intervention of microspherophakia cases.