Incidence of secondary intraocular lens implantation in school-aged children left aphakic to age 4.5 years in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study.
J Cataract Refract SurgSep 24, 2026
Clinical ResearchOphthalmology
Carolyn Drews-Botsch, Deborah VanderVeen, Erick Bothun et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized clinical trial assessed the incidence of secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children left aphakic after unilateral congenital cataract surgery. Among 51 participants followed to age 10.5 years, 22 (43%, 95% CI, 29%-58%) received a secondary IOL by that age, with over half implanted by age 6. The study highlights variability in practice patterns across clinical sites.
Key findings
- 43% of children left aphakic received a secondary IOL by age 10.5 years.
- 59% of secondary IOLs were implanted by age 6, with a median age of 64.5 months.
- Secondary IOLs were implanted in children with both good (≤20/40) and poor (≥20/200) visual acuity.
- Contact lens wear was similar between children with and without secondary IOLs.
Why it matters
Understanding the incidence of secondary IOL implantation in children left aphakic can inform clinical decision-making and highlight the importance of family preferences and practice patterns in pediatric ophthalmology.