Rock, paper and scissors? Traumatic paediatric cataract in Victoria 1992-2006

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To review visual acuity outcomes from paediatric traumatic cataract and examine the mechanisms by which they occur. METHODS: A retrospective review of paediatric patients (aged less than 18 years) who underwent lens surgery following ocular trauma, between 1992 and 2006 at the Royal Children's Hospital and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. Data collected included gender, mechanism of injury, wound type, age at injury, age at surgery, refractive rehabilitation, complications and visual acuity outcome. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients (75% male) were identified over the 15-year period, representing an incidence of 4.9 cases per year. The mean age at injury was 7.5 y..