Axial length of the eye in the first three years of life in children with congenital cataract in one or both eyes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Ultrasound has an important role in the diagnostics of the posterior segment of the eye, when clinical examination is not possible. One of problems is congenital cataract. Using ultrasound biometry it is possible to measure the axial length of the eye in all ages and axial growth from the very beginning to its termination. OBJECTIVE To ratify growth of the infant?s eye with and without congenital cataract, and to determine the accuracy of ultrasound measuring with and without general anesthesia. METHOD In our study we analyzed 30 patients (48 eyes) who had congenital cataract in one or both eyes (observed group) and 20 patients (40 eyes) in whom no eye disease was diagnosed (control group). RESULTS The observed group of 30 patients (48 eyes) with congenital cataract was divided according to age into three subgroups: I) 4-12 months, 11 patients, 18 eyes; II) 13-24 months, 7 patients, 11 eyes; III) 25-36 months, 12 patients, 19 eyes. In control group we analyzed 20 patients (40 eyes) without congenital cataract. These patients were also divided, according to age, into three subgroups: I) 2-12 months, 5 patients, 10 eyes; II) 13-24 months, 6 patients, 12 eyes; III) 25-36 months, 9 patients, 18 eyes. CONCLUSION Comparing the average axial lengths of the eye in the first, second and third year of life between the observed and control groups, we did not find any statistical significance in the obtained values. When determining the accuracy of the ultrasound measuring of the axial length of the eye in the observed group, we found no statistical significance between the determined values weather the measurements were done with or without general anesthesia (p>0.05).