Radiofrequency diathermy capsulorhexis of the anterior and posterior capsules in pediatric cataract surgery: Preliminary results

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of radiofrequency diathermy capsulorhexis in preventing opacification of the posterior capsule in pediatric cataract extraction. Setting. The Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Methods: Radiofrequency diathermy capsulorhexis to the anterior capsule followed by injection of sodium hyaluronate behind the posterior capsule and primary posterior capsule diathermy capsulorhexis were performed in 14 eyes of 7 children requiring cataract surgery. Results: Six patients had bilateral congenital and 1 patient bilateral developmental cataracts. Ten eyes (5 patients) received heparin-surface-modified intraocular lenses, and 4 eyes (2 patients) were left aphakic. There were no intraoperative complications, and only mild anterior segment inflammation was noted postoperatively. Conclusion: With follow-up from 7 to 16 months (mean 12.1 months), our results showed no epithelial regrowth or opacification of the posterior capsule following diathermy capsulorhexis.