Young children should be monitored for glaucoma following lensectomy

This study assessed the risk of glaucoma in the first year after lensectomy in young children.

Study design

Researchers used a multicenter, multinational, clinical research registry developed by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). They identified 702 children who underwent unilateral or bilateral cataract surgery between 2012 and 2015. All patients had 1 office visit between 6 and 18 months following lensectomy.

Outcomes

Fifty-two eyes were diagnosed with glaucoma and 14 were diagnosed as glaucoma suspects. Of these 66 eyes, nearly 35% required glaucoma surgery. Risks of glaucoma and glaucoma suspect diagnosis was higher in infants 3 months or younger (15.7% vs. 3.4%).

Limitations

Aphakia and anterior vitrectomy was more common in the younger age group and might have confounded the increased risk observed in this group. A large number of patients were excluded because they did not have a follow-up exam between 6 and 18 months.

Clinical significance

These findings suggest that children less than 3 months old need close follow-up after lensectomy to monitor for development of glaucoma.