Glaucoma after cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in children

Age at the time of cataract surgery and relative risk for aphakic glaucoma in nontraumatic infantile cataract

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Among the various risk factors that have been reported, microcornea and cataract surgery at less than 9 months of age are perhaps the most significant. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Some authors have concluded that cataract surgery at any age before 9 months of life confers the same risk for later aphakic glaucoma, whereas others have described specific times during infancy of greater risk for glaucoma development. A previous study from our institution did not find a specific age at surgery before 9 months that conferred less risk for aphakic glaucoma; however, many infant eyes in that series also had microcornea (horizontal corneal diameter #10 mm), a potentially confounding risk factor.…”

“…That study, however, also included cases with other structural anterior segment abnormality and had an average follow-up of only 2.85 years AE 1.9 years-a short follow-up, considering that most aphakic glaucoma is diagnosed 4-6 years after surgery. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] There are at least 3 population-based studies in the literature regarding age of cataract surgery and later risk for aphakic glaucoma-from Sweden (Magnusson et al), 5 the United Kingdom (Chak et al), 12 and Denmark (Haargaard et al). 18 Magnusson and colleagues 5 found the greatest risk in the first 10 days of life but did not exclude the potentially confounding risk factor of persistent fetal vasculature (or microcornea) in their series.…”

The aetiology in paediatric aphakic glaucoma

“…Others have also made this observation. 7,[22][23] In three of the six eyes in which the IOL was fixed in the sulcus, pseudophakic pupillary block developed. We recommend placement of the IOL within the capsular bag whenever possible.…”

Glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery: An 18‐year longitudinal follow‐up

“…Since an infant will likely live for 70 or 80 years after surgery, the risk becomes considerably high; however, to support this assumption, a long-term study is required. In previous studies (Chrousos et al 1984;Egbert et al 1995;Keech et al 1989;Mills & Robb 1994;Parks et al 1993;Robb & Petersen 1992;Simon et al 1991;Francois 1979;Johnson 1996), the prevalence of glaucoma varied between 5% (Francois 1979) and 32% (Johnson & Keech 1996), depending on the definition of glaucoma used, the inclusion criteria, and mean follow-up time; however, most reports on the development of aphakic glaucoma agree that it may occur any time from the early postoperative period to many years later and that lifelong follow-up is recommended (Egbert et al 1995;Simon et al 1991;Johnson & Keech 1996;Brady et al 1997;Asrani & Wilensky 1995;Phelps & Arafat 1977).…”