Cataract surgery in children is a common surgical procedure to restore vision. It is important to measure the outcome of this procedure through consistent follow-up of patients. The Childhood Blindness Initiative of Helen Keller Worldwide currently operates in the following four countries: Bangladesh, Mexico, Morocco and South Africa. It is unique in bringing cataract surgery services to previously under-served populations in these four countries. In the past year, the initiative has collected follow-up data on 537 children for the outcomes of cataract surgery. Emphasis is placed on measuring the visual acuity of children at one-month, three-month, six-month and one-year intervals after surgery. The examining physician records data on a standardized data collection form during each follow-up visit to the hospital where surgery was performed. In all four countries, the Initiative has developed Centers of Excellence to facilitate the program. Results of data collected through the Childhood Blindness Initiative show an improvement in visual acuity in at least half of the children, 76% of whom achieve good functioning vision. Factors that hamper improvement include other developmental delays, ocular conditions such as amblyopia and a lack of use of aphakic glasses. Unfortunately, only approximately half the children have adequate follow-up. These data are a pioneering effort to measure the benefits achieved by cataract surgery in children and help the Initiative to establish optimum surgical guidelines. In subsequent work, it will be important to determine differences, if any, between patients who present for follow-up and those who do not.
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Articulate the impact of cataract surgery on the visual acuity of children who undergo the surgery (no data to this effect exists) 2. Re-visit guidelines for cataract surgery for children based on new findings from CBI. 3. Discuss the major factors that influence level of improvement in visual acuity
Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Vision Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Helen Keller Worldwide
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.