Long-term follow-up of eye growth in pediatric patients after unilateral cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation

Purpose: To evaluate the refractive status, axial length, and refractive power of the cornea in pediatric patients after unilateral cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Methods: Refractive state, refractive power of cornea, and axial length were measured both in the operated and nonoperated eyes in 15 patients (age at surgery = 5 to 15 years; mean, 10.3) before and 4 to 15 years (mean, 93) after unilateral cataract surgery. Results: After surgery, visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 79% of operated eyes. Myopic changes, representing the difference between postoperative refraction at last follow-up and postoperative refraction at 1 year after surgery, were noted in the operated eyes at the end of study (mean, -5.02 D), but there were no significant differences in axial length (Wilcoxon signed rank test P >.05) or refractive power of the cornea between operated and nonoperated eyes (paired Student t test P >.05). Conclusion: Myopic shift after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation may occur even in older children.