Retinal Detachment Following Congenital Cataract Surgery

Kim, Jae Woo; Chang, Woo Hyok

Abstract

PURPOSE
To analyze the preoperative clinical characteristics, surgical methods, outcomes and visual prognosis of retinal detachment following congenital cataract surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 16 patients (16 eyes) who had undergone an operation for retinal detachment following congenital cataract surgery. Anatomical success was considered to have occurred if the retina was well attached in fundus exam at postoperative 6 months. RESULTS: There were more male (81.3%) patients than female patients. The average age of cataract surgery was 19.3 years, and the mean interval between cataract surgery and retinal detachment was 7.7 years. The most common type of the retinal break was a round hole and the most common location of retinal break was the inferotemporal quadrant. Total retinal detachment was 56.2% and the macula was detached in 87.5% of patients. The anatomical success rate of the primary operation was 43.8% and the final success rate was 87.5%. Postoperative visual acuity increased in 43.8% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal detachment following congenital cataract surgery had a poor success rate compared to that of other retinal detachments due to difficulties in finding the retinal break (37.5%) and frequent total retinal detachment. Early diagnosis, prompt surgery, vitrectomy and intraocular tamponade for primary operation would increase the success rate and improve postoperative visual prognosis.