Corneal Approach 20 Guage Vitrectomy System for the Management of Congenital Cataract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of 20 gauge vitrectomy via corneal approach for the management of congenital cataract.

Method: We performed anterior capsular vitreorhexis, lens matter aspiration (LMA), primary posterior vitrectorhexis and anterior vitrectomy via corneal approach using 20 gauge vitrectomy system in children younger than two years of age with congenital cataract between January 2014 to December 2014. The intra and postoperative complications were observed.

Results: Twenty nine eyes of 21 children were included in this study. Congenital cataract surgery using 20 gauge vitrectomy system via corneal approach did not reveal any intra operative complication. Post operatively all children were able to freely open their operated eyes. Conjunctival congestion at the incision site in four eyes and mild anterior chamber reaction in 8 eyes were seen on 1st day which resolved at one week follow up. Other major post operative complications such as inflammatory membrane, irregular pupil, posterior/anterior syneache and opacification of visual axis were not seen during follow up period.

Conclusion: The 20-gauge vitrectomy system via corneal approach is easy to perform, is less time consuming, safe and effective for the management of congenital cataract in younger children.