Abstract
Purpose :
Reports of using refractive lens exchange (RLE) to treat myopic refractive errors in children have been limited to case reports. We analyze outcomes in a series of children who were noncompliant with spectacles or contact lenses and had neurologic as well as visuomotor disorders.
Methods :
Clinical outcome data were collated prospectively in 39 myopic children (68 eyes) treated for isoametropic or anisometropic refractive error using refractive lensectomy with or without IOL implantation. 66% of the patients were premature (≤ 30 wks GA) and 69% had retinopathy of prematurity. The mean age at refractive surgery was 8.3 years (range 1.5 to 22); mean follow-up was 2.8 years (range 1-15 years).
Results :
Myopic spherical equivalent averaged -15.62 ±6.9D (range -7.75 to -30) and was corrected to 0.60±1.34D at 1-year follow-up. After 5 years, refractive regression was -0.23D/yr in myopes. Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (CDVA) improved 0.26 logMAR (20/87 to 20/48); Uncorrected Distance Visual Acuity (UDVA) improved 0.66 logMAR (20/285 to 20/62). 64% of children treated had a gain in at least one level of binocular fusion.
Conclusions :
Refractive lens exchange is an effective means for improving visual function and quality of life in highly myopic children who have difficulties wearing spectacles. Visual acuity increased and refractive error decreased substantially from preoperative levels.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.