UK & Ireland observational study of outcomes following congenital / infantile cataract surgery: IoLunder2 five year follow up

PURPOSE: To investigate outcomes following cataract surgery with and without primary intraocular lens implantation in children aged under 2 years with congenital or infantile cataract. METHODS: A bi-national prospective longitudinal cohort study undertaken through a collaborative research network, with case ascertainment through active surveillance, and standardised data collection on children who underwent cataract surgery with and without IoL implantation between Jan ‘09 and Dec ’10. Multivariable multilevel regression modelling was undertaken to interrogate the association between IoL implantation and outcomes of interest. RESULTS: 256 children were recruited into the study following informed parental consent. For 242 (95%) children, 5 year post–operative follow up data were available. Overall, median age at surgery was 7 weeks (IQR 5 weeks-7 months). Significant ocular co-morbidity (horizontal corneal diameter<10mm, axial length