Endothelial cell density comparable to normal values after long-term aphakic IOL implantation in children

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2011;37(5):866-872.

Long-term corneal endothelial cell density after iris-fixated aphakic IOL implantation in children with bilateral congenital or juvenile cataracts was comparable to normal values, a study found.

Patients received the Artisan iris-fixated aphakic IOL (Ophtec).

"A concern about iris-fixated IOL implantation is corneal endothelial cell loss," the study authors said. "Safety to the corneal endothelium is of great importance in pediatric patients because of their long life expectancy."

The retrospective study included 20 eyes of 10 patients who underwent bilateral congenital or juvenile cataract extraction and aphakic IOL implantation.

Mean patient age at the time of IOL implantation was 7.4 years; at final follow-up, it was 19.6 years. The mean follow-up interval was 12.3 years.

The primary outcome measure was endothelial cell density at final follow-up. A minimum of two corneal endothelial photographs were taken of each eye.

Study data showed a mean endothelial cell density of 2,702 cells/mm² (range: 1,382 cells/mm² to 3,974 cells/mm²) at final follow-up. Mean endothelial cell density was similar to normal values reported in the literature for the same age group.

However, results showed standard deviation in mean endothelial cell density of 757 cells/mm². Previous studies showed a standard deviation of 350 cells/mm² in the second decade of life and 400 cells/mm² in the third decade.