Single-piece acrylic intraocular lens implantation in children

PURPOSE: To assess the short-term outcomes of single-piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children by determining the incidence of postoperative visual axis opacification and the need for a second procedure to clear the axis, cell deposits on the IOL optic, posterior synechias, and IOL decentration. SETTING: Miles Center for Pediatric Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. METHODS: This retrospective case review comprised 43 consecutive implantations (33 patients) of a single-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL (AcrySof SA30AL or SA60AT, Alcon). An analysis of 42 eyes with posterior capsulectomy and vitrectomy was performed. Eyes with traumatic cataract and secondary IOLs were excluded. RESULTS: Single-piece acrylic IOLs were implanted in 42 eyes. The mean age was 33.5 months +/- 28.9 (SD) (range 0.5 to 110 months) and the mean follow-up, 12.0 +/- 8.2 months (range 1.0 to 27.5 months). Postoperative opacification of the visual axis occurred in 7 eyes (16.7%). Secondary surgical procedures were required in 5 eyes (11.9%). Lens deposits were observed in 8 eyes (19.0%) and synechias, in 5 eyes (11.9%). All IOLs were well centered postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The short-term data suggest implantation of the AcrySof single-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL is safe in the pediatric eye.