Case series of spontaneous bilateral absorbed cataracts running in a family

Abstract

There are only a handful of case reports and studies available regarding spontaneously absorbed cataracts and their management, including the surgical techniques and results following the management. In our study, on retrospective analysis, after a thorough search of the concerned literature, we encountered a series of cases of bilateral spontaneous absorbed cataracts running in a family with no such documentation. This retrospective study included 11 patients (aged between 3 and 65 years and of either sex) of the same family having bilateral absorbed cataracts. All patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); a thorough eye examination; rubella titer estimation; intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation; lens aspiration with or without posterior capsulotomy, anterior vitrectomy (AV), or IOL implantation; and visual rehabilitation. All patients had bilateral absorbed cataracts, which were acquired in an autosomal dominant pattern. Preoperative BCVA distance: 22 eyes had either counting fingers close to the face or counting fingers at 1–2 feet. The presence of high-frequency mixed bilateral nystagmus was noted in four patients. Anterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was possible. Cortical aspiration was uneventful. In the capsular bag, implantation was possible in the majority of cases. No postoperative inflammation was noted, and the IOL was well-centered in all patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report a case series of bilateral absorbed cataracts running in an Indian family with no syndromic association, no history of mental retardation, or infection. Anatomic disorganization of the absorbed lens makes surgery in such cases challenging. By using appropriate surgical methods and good visual rehabilitation, satisfactory surgical and visual outcomes can be achieved.