Prediction error and myopic shift after intraocular lens implantation in paediatric cataract patients.

AIM: To determine the amount of myopic shift in children after cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and to evaluate success in achieving the target refraction.

METHODS: The children were assigned into three groups depending on age at time of surgery: Group A, 0-1 years old; Group B, 1-7 years old; Group C, 7-18 years old. Multiple regression analysis was used to create a formula for expected myopic shift and to find out which variables were associated with a higher absolute prediction error.

RESULTS: Children less than 12 months of age experienced higher myopic shifts and a larger mean rate of refractive change per year compared with older children. We found higher myopic shifts in younger children at time of surgery and children with unilateral cataract. Absolute prediction error was significantly higher in Group A compared with Groups B and C (p=0.022 and p=0.037, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that corneal radius was the only variable significantly associated with absolute prediction error.

CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the complexity in predicting the postoperative refraction in children under 1 year old and show that age at surgery and laterality are factors to consider when deciding which IOL power to implant in children.