An improvement in the technic and results of phacoemulsification of congenital cataracts in children

: In 163 children (256 eyes), aged from 3 months to 14 years, with different clinical forms of bilateral and monolateral congenital cataracts surgical interventions were used. A new method of extracapsular cataract extraction is described: as a retractor and protector of the iris in the performance of the operation, a formed flap of the anterior lens capsule is used. The proposed method provides conditions for maximum and atraumatic removal of masses from the upper segment of the lens capsule, lowers the risk of the opening of the posterior capsule, prolapse of the vitreous body and prevents traumatizing of the iris. Optical results depended on the kind of cataract and the presence of associated pathology. Visual acuity of 0.3-1.0 was achieved in 37.1%-46.4% in zonular cataracts and in 21.7%-22.2% in total cataract. In case of atypical congenital forms of cataract it was, as a rule, not higher than 0.2.