Glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery: an 18-year longitudinal follow-up

Abstract

Purpose: To report the occurrence of postoperative glaucoma and to evaluate risk factors.

Methods: Children born in four of the western counties of Sweden who were diagnosed with congenital cataracts formed a cohort (n=137). The following parameters were evaluated: age at cataract surgery; type of surgery; visual outcome; postoperative IOP; optic disc abnormalities; date of onset of the complication; number of reoperations, including treatment for secondary cataract; presence of systemic anomalies; microphthalmus; and eye-related anomalies.

Results: A diagnosis of glaucoma was recorded for 12% of the eyes. The mean follow-up time was 9.6 years. There is a relationship between surgery before the age of 10 days and development of glaucoma. Microphthalmus is an important risk factor as well.

Conclusions: Despite modern surgical techniques the incidence of aphakic glaucoma is 10% or higher. No time-dependent increase in the incidence of late-onset glaucoma between the 1980s and the 1990s could be proven.