Early infantile cataract surgery linked to glaucoma risk

This meta-analysis found that cataract surgery within the first month of life and subsequent intraocular surgical procedures are associated with increased glaucoma risk, while primary IOL implantation appears to be protective in infants.

The researchers analyzed data from studies on glaucoma in infants who underwent cataract surgery and were followed for at least one year. Authors of eligible studies were invited to contribute individual patient data on infants who met the inclusion criteria.

Data from 470 infants who had surgery at a median age of three months and were followed for a median of six years found that 17% developed glaucoma at a median follow-up of 4.3 years.

The researchers also found that infants who had primary lens implantation at the time of cataract surgery were less likely to develop glaucoma, while surgery at 4 weeks of age or younger and additional procedures were risk factors for developing glaucoma. The data also suggest that pseuophakic eyes appear to have a reduced risk for early- to intermediate-onset glaucoma.