Vigilant monitoring necessary after pediatric cataract removal

Careful observation of children after cataract removal is necessary to treat and possibly prevent retinal detachment, according to a study. The researchers noted prognosis improvement has evolved because of advances in cataract surgery and in retinal detachment management.

David Yorston and colleagues retrospectively reviewed 59 eyes of 52 patients who developed retinal detachments after cataract surgery.

In 37% of the patients, the fellow eye was blind; 81% had retinal detachment at presentation. In 67% of the eyes that had undergone cataract removal before 1970, residual lens matter or miotic pupils blocked the detachment from view, but this occurred in only 30% of eyes that underwent the procedure after 1970.

Successful retinal reattachment was achieved with one operation in 59% of the eyes. Final reattachment was achieved in 81% of the eyes.

The study is published in the March issue of Eye.