Secondary intraocular lens implantation in children

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine the visual outcome and indication of secondary posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: The operation was performed on 34 eyes with aphakia in children after separation of posterior iris synechia from posterior capsule and formation of a posterior chamber space large enough to insert an intraocular lens. Based on whether the integrity of the posterior capsule was complete or not, various techniques of secondary IOL implantation were adopted. RESULTS: The follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 24 months. The results showed that 29 of the eyes (85.29%) achieved a post-operative corrected visual acuity equal to or better than that of the best corrected visual acuity before the surgery; the postoperative uncorrected visual acuities in 16 eyes (47.06%) and corrected visual acuities in 28 eyes (82.35%) reached 0.5 or better. CONCLUSION: Secondary posterior chamber IOL implantation is a safe and effective method in children who have a complete or partial posterior capsule.