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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:1112-1116 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.134619
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Postcataract surgery outcome in a series of infants and children with Down syndrome

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  1. C Gardiner,
  2. B Lanigan,
  3. M O’Keefe
  1. The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
  1. Professor M O’Keefe, Eye Department, The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland; mokeefe{at}materprivate.ie
  • Accepted 26 April 2008

Abstract

Aims: To report the visual and refractive outcome and complications in children with Down syndrome undergoing cataract extraction.

Methods: The case notes of 18 infants and children with lens opacities and Down syndrome who underwent cataract extraction between January 1981 and August 2006 were reviewed.

Results: Over the 25-year study period, 7% (33 eyes) of paediatric eyes undergoing cataract extraction had Down syndrome. The average follow-up time was 11.2 (SD 7.5) years with a range of 2.5 months to 25 years. 25 were congenital, and eight were developmental lens opacities. 40% of patients attained a postoperative BCVA between 6/9 and 6/18. There was a large myopic shift of −7.96 (4.7) D for aphakes and −8.06 (7.4) D for pseudophakes with an average increase in axial length of 3.58 (3.14) mm. There was a 30% incidence of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) overall, 38% in eyes without a primary posterior capsulotomy. Five eyes developed aphakic glaucoma, one eventually necessitating an enucleation. Two patients had retinal detachments on follow-up.

Conclusion: Cataract extraction in our population of children with Down syndrome is a safe and effective procedure with a very encouraging visual outcome.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

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