Outcome of superior manual small-incision cataract surgery in pediatric age group - A five year retrospective study at a tertiary eye hospital in Karnataka

Purpose: To analyze intraoperative difficulties and visual and surgical outcomes following pediatric cataract surgery. Methods: This five?year retrospective study (2014�19) included 138 eyes (85 children) with cataract aged between 12 months and 18 years (either sex). All children had undergone best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior and posterior segment evaluation, intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation, superior manual?small?incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with or without posterior capsulotomy/anterior vitrectomy and IOL implantation under general or local anesthesia, visual rehabilitation, and had been followed up for a minimum period of 12 months. Results: The mean age was 111.27 � 4.84 months. Preoperative BCVA distance: 113 (81.88%)eyes had BCVA < 6/60; near BCVA: 114 (82.6%) eyes had ?N36. At last postoperative follow?up (mean: 20.98 � 13.08 months): distant BCVA? ?6/60 had been recorded in 120 (86.96%) eyes; near BCVA? >N36 in 123 (89.13%) eyes. Improvement in BCVA was statistically significant. Intraoperative scleral tunnel difficulties were seen in three eyes (thin flap in two, and buttonhole in one eye); in the majority of the eyes 113 (81.88%), IOL was placed in the bag. Twenty eyes had early postoperative inflammation. At last follow?up: posterior capsular opacity was recorded in six eyes, IOL decenteration in two eyes, secondary glaucoma in six eyes, and severe amblyopia in 36 (26.09%) eyes. The mean myopic shift was ? 1.11 � 0.89 D and was statistically significant. Conclusion: Superior MSICS as a treatment for pediatric cataract has minimal intraoperative complications and satisfactory visual and surgical outcomes.