Primary intraocular lens implantation in infants with unilateral congenital cataract operated before 12 weeks of age

Purpose The aim of this study was to report visual outcome and safety after cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens implantation before 12 weeks of age. Methods Infants with visually significant unilateral congenital cataract having primary IOL implantation in the capsular bag before 12 weeks of age in 2007–2016 were enrolled for a prospective study examination in 2017. The medical records were also reviewed. Results In total, 23 patients with a median age at cataract surgery of 32 days (range, 12–75 days) were included. Seventeen (74%) eyes had persistent foetal vasculature (PFV). After a median follow-up of 6.3 years (range, 1.4–10.9 years), the corrected distance visual acuity was 0.8 logMAR (range, 3.0–0.1 logMAR). All, except one eye, required surgery for visual axis opacification (VAO), with a median of two (range 0–5) additional surgical procedures. Four (17%) eyes developed secondary glaucoma. Conclusion Cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation before 12 weeks of age resulted in a high number of VAO operations, and the visual outcome varied considerably, showing the range in outcome for this challenging patient group. Co-existent PFV in these young patients was common. The incidence of secondary glaucoma was similar to other studies, despite the young age at surgery, high percentage of PFV and number of surgical procedures for VAO.