Purpose: Evaluation of the long-term functional results of the treatment of unilateral congenital cataract (UCC) surgery before age 1.
Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of 20 consecutive cases of UCC operated on before age 1 and followed by the same medical team during the entire treatment period. Lens implantation adopted when surgically possible (15 cases) and medical treatment of amblyopia are described. Functional results are analyzed with a mean follow-up of 6 years (3.5-11 years) and compared with those of 31 similar cases operated on between 1 and 8 years of age.
Results: Four cases had less than 0.1 of final visual acuity, 8 cases remained between 0.1 and 0.4, and 8 cases obtained at least 0.5. Functional results with surgical, refractive, visual, oculomotor, and binocular data of all cases are described. Amblyograms are presented.
Discussion: Age at surgery, postoperative delay, type of cataract, and refractive progression were not found to be decisive in final results. We discuss the factors that seem important in the visual outcome and consequences on the sound eye of this heavy amblyopia treatment. In addition to early treatment, the absence of surgical complications and the continuity of patching, the quality of the initial organization of therapeutic strategy, and the continuity of the follow-up seem to be major factors for the success of long-term treatment. Treatment and follow-up should be centralized around a specialized team that will help the local team during the entire length of the treatment.