Refractive Growth in Pseudophakic Children Age 2–6 Years of Age
Purpose
While most axial growth and myopic shift occurs before 2 years, a variable amount of refractive change can occur in the pre-school population. The purpose of this study is to report refractive changes in pseudophakic children operated between 2-6 years age.
Methods
Retrospective chart review of pseudophakic children operated age 2-6 years with minimum followup of 3 years. The refractive error was recorded at 1-2 months after surgery and then yearly. Mean myopic shift was determined and refractive change per year was calculated.
Results
42 eyes of 27 children met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at the time of surgery: 3.9 years, mean followup: 7.5 years (range, 3-14). Patients operated between 2-3 years (n=12) had slightly greater mean myopic shift of -3.2 D compared to -2.6 D in 3-4 years (n=14) and -2.7 D in 4-6 years (n=16). Myopic shift per year was not significantly different in these age groups (0.5 D/year, p=0.7, ANOVA). Myopic shift was somewhat higher in unilateral than bilateral pseudophakia (-3.0 vs. -2.8 D; n=12 vs. 30; p=0.7, unpaired t test).
Conclusion
There is a myopic shift of 0.5 D/year in children operated between age 2-6 years. Myopic shift is somewhat greater in younger children and unilateral pseudophakia.