Second intraocular surgery after primary pediatric cataract surgery: indications and outcomes during long-term follow-up at a tertiary eye care center.

PurposeAlthough pediatric cataract surgery has become standardized and safe, further surgical interventions are not uncommon. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence of complications in children who required an intraocular intervention.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records of children (<7 years) with cataract who underwent cataract surgery with or without primary posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) placement between January 2006 and December 2014 was carried out. Data were collected regarding visual axis opacification (VAO), glaucoma, IOL decentration, intraocular infections, and other indications that required a second intraocular surgery.ResultsOut of 814 (570 pseudophakic and 244 aphakic) eyes of 620 operated children, 45 eyes of 40 children (5.5%, 45/814) needed a second surgery. The most common indication being VAO (2.9%, 24/814), followed by glaucoma (0.73%, 6/814). Incidence of complications was higher in children <1 year (VAO 6.1%, 19/308 and glaucoma 6%, 6/308). Among all children, repeat interventions and VAO were slightly less frequent in pseudophakics (4.91%, 28/570) vs aphakics (6.91%, 17/244) (P=0.31). As VAO was more common in pseudophakic eyes in infants, glaucoma was equally common in both groups. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 1.6±0.56 LogMAR preoperatively to 0.80±0.50 LogMAR postoperatively.ConclusionsOur study suggests that overall incidence of second intraocular surgery is low after primary pediatric cataract surgery. VAO remains the most common indication followed by secondary glaucoma. Incidence of complications is higher in children <1 year of age at initial surgery.