Abstract
Purpose: :
To report axial length growth in congenital cataract before and after surgery.
Methods: :
26 cases of congenital cataracts were diagnosed and followed with ultrasound measurements of axial length. The initial axial length was classified in normal ocular length (equal with the unaffected eye) and in smaller eyes (degree of microphthalmia). The post-operative axial length was classified in normal ocular length and in longer eyes (acquired axial myopia due to visual deprivation).
Results: :
Before the surgery, we observed 30% of smaller eyes, 50% of equal eyes and 20% of longer eyes. The postoperative period showed an increased myopisation with more than 45% of cases, eventhough the micophtalmia was stable. The follow-up pointed an increase of myopia.
Conclusions: :
The mechanism of acquired axial myopia due to visual deprivation remains unknown: chemical inducer (growth factor) or lack of stimulation by visual deprivation.The acquired axial myopia due to visual deprivation appears more important when the visual impairment is major. The acquired axial myopia is present before surgery for children with incomplete cataracts discovered later (children 2 years-old).
Keywords: cataract • imaging/image analysis: clinical • development