Visual Function in Pediatric Patients With Posterior Lens Opacities

Congenital cataract patients have a wide range of presentations of lens opacities with different impact on visual function. Polar cataracts are opacities of the subcapsular cortex in the polar regions of the lens. To our knowledge, anterior polar cataracts are usually visually insignificant, however, even a small posterior lens opacity can impair vision because of their close proximity to the macula. Visual impairment could be caused by an opacity that blocks the visual axis, refractive error, posterior lesion-induced optical distortion, or amblyopia. Therefore, surgery is often recommended when visual function is significantly affected. The primary indication for surgical intervention in cataract is poor visual acuity. However, the previous studies have shown that preoperative visual acuity is a poor predictor of improvement in the subjectively experienced quality of vision after cataract surgery. Considering the increased risk for capsule rupture during surgery and the sacrifice of accommodation after cataract surgery in eyes with posterior lens opacities, the decision of surgical intervention must be carefully weighed.

In this trial, the investigators aimed to evaluate the changes of visual function, including visual acuity, modulation transfer function, ocular aberrations in the participants with posterior lens opacities. Moreover, various factors which might be associated with postoperative visual acuity were explored. The participants enrolled in this study will be followed for at least 6 months and will have study visits at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month postoperatively.

Inclusion criteria

• Children with posterior polar cataracts or posterior lenticonus who need cataract surgery
• Aged 3-14 years
• Have signed a consent form
• Can be followed

Exclusion criteria

• Have relevant ocular disease other than congenital cataract
• Could not cooperate to the examinations