AIM: To evaluate the technique of congenital cataract surgery and highlight the significance of optic rehabilitation postoperatively by a retrospective study with congenital cataract.

METHODS:Phacomulsification and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation combined the technique of anterior and posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and the anterior vitrectomy were performed on the 21 consecutive eyes of 11 children who had congenital cataract. The postoperative follow-up was 6 months to 1 year, and at the same time all patients accepted amblyopic treatment so as to rehabilitate the visual acuity.

RESULTS: The visual acuity of all patients with congenital cataract was improved with different degrees after treatment.Fibrinous exudative was seen in 9 eyes(42.9%)1 week after operations. Posterior capsular opacification was found in three eyes(14.3%); the percentage of patients who failed to follow-up 6 months after operations was 45.5%.

CONCLUSION: The surgical skill of congenital cataract has its own characteristic which is different from surgeries for other kinds of cataract, the technique of phacomulsification and IOL implantation combined the double continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and the anterior vitrectomy is effective for prevention of the posterior capsule opacification, and provides more opportunities for patients to get optic rehabilitation. Therefore, successful management of congenital cataract surgery, the duration of postoperative supervision and the training of optical rehabilitation are essential for the treatment of congenital cataract, both doctors and parents should be aware of this point.