Pediatric cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant

Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation has become the standard of care for the optical rehabilitation of children with cataract from the toddler age group and up. However, the use of IOLs in infants remains controversial. Management of congenital and childhood cataracts is more challenging than cataract management in adults. The surgical techniques for children have evolved because of collaboration between pediatric ophthalmologists and adult cataract surgeons. Although pediatric surgical technique has evolved, IOL power calculation has not kept pace. Selection of IOL power is one of the remaining challenges of management of cataract in children. We discuss the issues and possible solutions for IOL implantation in children.