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Surgeons debate IOLs in congenital cataract cases
BUENOS AIRES — Due to the unpredictable nature of an infant's eye, one surgeon here cautioned against the regular use of IOLs in cases of congenital cataracts.
 Enrique A. Urrets-Zavalia |
"A lot of complications can arise. These complications are very difficult to manage," Enrique A. Urrets-Zavalia, MD, said at the Argentinean Society of Ophthalmology Annual Course.
Dr. Urrets-Zavalia expressed his doubts that surgeons experienced in the adult eye should be treating pediatric cases as they would an adult.
"There is a lot of training required. ... It's a changing eye," he said. "Further studies are needed."
During a debate that was sparked by Dr. Urrets-Zavalia's presentation, Juan Eduardo Gallo, MD, PhD, noted that the constant cost of contact lenses might factor into a surgeon's choice of treatment.
"Some situations require an IOL," he said, such as when working with a poor family that cannot afford to keep buying contact lenses.
Dr. Gallo found support in a presentation by Vincent Paris, MD, who said that his hospital in Belgium has implanted every congenital cataract case, after 3 months of age, with an IOL over the last 20 years.