Abstract
PURPOSE: Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) accounts for the most significant and most challenging complication after successful cataract surgery in children. Our study aimed to investigate the levels of cytokines in the aqueous humor of children afflicted with congenital cataracts and their association with PCO. METHODS: This was an observational study conducted at a tertiary referral center in India. Consecutive children aged less than 5 years with unilateral/bilateral isolated idiopathic congenital cataracts and planned for cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation were included. During cataract surgery, 100-500 µl of aqueous samples were collected and the levels of inflammatory cytokines were quantified in the aqueous humor. RESULTS: An analysis of 28 samples was done. The mean age of the patients was 16.7 ± 0.4 months (range 3-60 months) with a mean follow-up 14.2 ± 2.3 months. On binary logistic regression, the level of MCP-1 was significantly related to the development of PCO at 1 year ( P = 0.0072). Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were not associated with the development of PCO ( P = 0.05 and P = 0.07, respectively). CONCLUSION: Inflammatory markers like IL-6 and IL-8 were raised in children with pediatric cataracts in our study. Chronic high levels of MCP-1-induced fibrosis may be associated with PCO.