Reply
PDF
Cite
Share
Request
Letter to the Editor
P: 53-54
February 2024

Reply

Turk J Ophthalmol 2024;54(1):53-54
1. Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, İstanbul, Türkiye
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 05.12.2023
Accepted Date: 06.12.2023
Publish Date: 22.02.2024
PDF
Cite
Share
Request

We would like to thank Dr. Uçar for his insightful comments and interest in our study titled “Predictive Factors of Complications and Visual Outcomes after Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Single Referral Center Study from Türkiye.”1 His observations and suggestions are valuable contributions that merit further discussion and consideration within the context of pediatric cataract surgery.

Regarding the management of patients older than 12 months left aphakic in our study, we appreciate your query concerning cases where the integrity of the capsular bag was disrupted, possibly necessitating scleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation. We excluded patients who underwent secondary IOL implantation, and among the cases where patients were left aphakic, there were no instances of complete capsular bag disruption that warranted scleral IOL fixation in the primary surgery. However, we acknowledge the significance of this consideration and its potential impact on surgical outcomes, particularly in cases involving compromised capsular integrity, which could benefit from scleral IOL fixation method.2

This retrospective study covers a period of 10 years, and although IOL implantation was performed in some patients during this period, our clinic’s protocol for pediatric cataract cases primarily involves utilizing aphakic contact lenses for patient follow-up. In addition, as stated in the methodology section, select patients received IOLs primarily based on socioeconomic considerations and the potential impracticability of employing contact lenses. The debate about the optimal approach -aphakic versus IOL implantation- for pediatric cataracts continues. Notably, a large-scale prospective study discouraged routine IOL implantation in children under the age of 2 years.3 Conversely, a recent meta-analysis suggests that IOL implantation results in better visual acuity but with an increased risk of visual axis opacification.4 Consequently, we advocate for larger-scale studies to comprehensively elucidate this intricate issue.

The use of intracameral triamcinolone in pediatric cataract cases is routinely performed in our clinic following the completion of posterior curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCC). However, your suggestion of a more intense topical anti-inflammatory treatment, along with intraoperative intracameral triamcinolone acetonide subsequent to both PCC and viscoelastic removal holds promise in potentially reducing such complications. Moreover, studies investigating posterior optic capture alongside PCC have reported fewer fibrinous complications, while randomized prospective studies have demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes between IOL implantation in the capsular bag and the mentioned technique.5,6 In addition to the methodology employed in this single-center retrospective study, investigating the posterior optic capture technique may hold significance in the management of fibrin reactions in pediatric cataracts.

We appreciate your commendation of our study and concur that prospective, randomized advanced clinical studies encompassing a larger cohort from multiple centers will significantly enhance our understanding of pediatric cataract surgeries. The collaboration among various centers in future studies will undoubtedly provide more comprehensive insights and further elucidate the complexities associated with this intricate surgical domain.

References

1
Dericioğlu V, Sevik MO, Bağatur Vurgun E, Çerman E. Predictive Factors of Complications and Visual Outcomes after Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Single Referral Center Study from Türkiye. Turk J Ophthalmol. 2023;53:267-274.
2
Ucar F. Intraocular lens implantation with flattened flanged intrascleral fixation technique in pediatric aphakia. J AAPOS. 2022;26:8.e1-8.e7.
3
Solebo AL, Cumberland P, Rahi JS; British Isles Congenital Cataract InterestGroup. 5-year outcomes after primary intraocular lens implantation inchildren aged 2 years or younger with congenital or infantile cataract: findingsfrom the IoLunder2 prospective inception cohort study. Lancet Child AdolescHealth. 2018;2:863-871.
4
Chen J, Chen Y, Zhong Y, Li J. Comparison of visual acuity and complicationsbetween primary IOL implantation and aphakia in patients with congenitalcataract younger than 2 years: a meta-analysis. J Cataract Refract Surg.2020;46:465-473.
5
Vasavada AR, Vasavada V, Shah SK, Trivedi RH, Vasavada VA, VasavadaSA, Srivastava S, Sudhalkar A. Postoperative outcomes of intraocularlens implantation in the bag versus posterior optic capture in pediatriccataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2017; 43:1177-1183.
6
Kaur S, Sukhija J, Ram J. Comparison of posterior optic capture ofintraocular lens without vitrectomy vs endocapsular implantation withanterior vitrectomy in congenital cataract surgery: A randomized prospectivestudy. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020;68:84-88.