Preoperative biometry data of eyes with unilateral congenital cataract

Purpose: To investigate the differences in biometry data of eyes with unilateral congenital cataract and the contralateral normal eyes in pediatric patients.

Setting: Pediatric Ophthalmology Division, Ophthalmology Department, Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Data of visually significant unilateral congenital cataract patients who had cataract surgery in the ophthalmology department at Semmelweis University between 2013 and 2016 were collected. At the time of the examinations, the mean age of the patients was 36.4 weeks ± 25.3 (SD). Central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal refractive power (keratometry [K]), horizontal corneal diameter, and axial length (AL) measurement data were obtained from both eyes of each patient. The measurements were taken under general anesthesia using a handheld kerato-refractometer (Retinomax K-plus 3) and an ultrasound instrument (Ocuscan RxP) with contact applanation method and Castroviejo straight-tip calipers at the beginning of the cataract surgery. For statistical evaluation, Originlab 7.0 software was used; paired t tests were performed for the difference analysis between the 2 sides.

Results: Forty-two infants (50% girls) were included. In the cases of eyes with unilateral congenital cataract, a greater CCT (P = .01330), higher average K (P = .00243), and smaller corneal diameter (P = .00010) were found, although there was no significant difference in AL when compared with the unaffected contralateral eyes.

Conclusion: The data showed that biometric characteristics of the eyes with unilateral congenital cataract differ from the opposite normal eye before the cataract surgery. It is essential to use this biometric data in intraocular lens power calculation and to take them into account in long-term care when screening for secondary glaucoma.