Toric intraocular lens implantation in children with developmental cataract and preexisting corneal astigmatism

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on the refractive outcomes in children with cataract and preexisting corneal astigmatism.

Methods: We included children between the age group of 8-14 years who were randomized into group I (toric) and group II (non-toric), in which toric and spherical IOLs were implanted, respectively, after phacoaspiration. Primary outcome measure was comparison of preoperative keratometric and postoperative refractive cylinder. Secondary outcome measure was comparison of pre- and postoperative visual outcome.

Results: This study included 21 eyes of 17 children with developmental cataract. The mean spherical power of the toric IOLs implanted in the group I was 22.42 ± 4.84 D (range 12.50-29.00 D) and the mean cylindrical power of toric IOL was 3.37 ± 1.43 D (range 1.50-6.00D). The mean spherical power implanted in non-toric (group II) was 20.70 ± 7.09 D (range 10-31D). Mean preoperative keratometric cylinder in group I was 2.99 ± 0.96 D (range 1.85-5.12 D) and in group II it was 3.35 ± 0.63 D (range 2.03D-4.33 D) (p = 0.31) while the mean refractive cylinder at one year postoperatively in group I was 0.50 ± 0.39 D (range 0.00-1.00 D) and in group II it was 2.05 ± 0.39 D (range 1.25D-2.50 D; p = 0.006). Twelve months postoperatively, group I had a mean spherical equivalent (SE) 0.41 ± 0.26 D (range 0.00-0.88 D) and group II had 1.8 ± 1.03 D (range 0.63-4.00 D) (p = 0.002). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) improved from 0.94 log MAR ± 0.51 (range 0.60-2.00) to 0.43 log MAR ± 0.33 (range 0.00-1.00) in the group I at the end of 1 year and in group II, it improved from 1.52 log MAR ± 1.12 to 0.75 log MAR ± 0.70 (range 0.00-2.00) at the end of 1 year. Corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) improved in group I from 0.72 log MAR ± 0.17 (range 0.48-1.00) to 0.19 log MAR ± 0.26 (range 0.00- 0.78) at the end of one year while in group II, it improved from 1.33 ± 1.08 (range 0.18-3.00) to 0.49 log MAR ± 0.80 (range 0.00-2.00) at the end of 1 year.

Conclusions: Toric IOL implantation in children significantly reduces postoperative astigmatism and thereby improves visual outcome.