Central Corneal Thickness, Corneal Endothelial Characteristics and Intraocular Pressure after Pediatric Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell characteristics and intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with prior pediatric cataract surgery and to compare them with eyes of normal age and sex matched controls. METHODS: Specular microscopy CCT and IOP measurements were performed in 31 eyes of 17 patients with prior congenital cataract extraction and 40 eyes of 20 age and sex matched subjects. The mean of three pachymetric and specular microscopic measurements were recorded. IOP was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry. RESULTS: Mean CCT was 632±45 μm in eyes with prior pediatric cataract surgery vs 546±33 μm in control eyes (P < 0.001, independent t test and Mann Whitney U-test). Mean IOP was 22.1±3.9 mmHg in eyes with prior pediatric cataract surgery and 14.0±1.6 mmHg in the control group (P < 0.001, independent t-test). There was no significant difference between the two groups in cell count, polymegethism and mean cell area of corneal endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Although the corneas were clinically clear and there was no significant difference in endothelial characteristics in eyes with prior pediatric cataract surgery as compared to normal controls, central corneal thickness in the operated eyes was significantly greater. To differentiate actual glaucoma from artifactual IOP increase, CCT measurement should be performed in these patients.