Incidence And Risk Factors For Secondary Glaucoma Following Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Consecutive Clinical Series

To determine the incidence and clinical predictors of secondary glaucoma following pediatric cataract surgery and to evaluate long-term monitoring outcomes.

Tertiary referral center for pediatric ophthalmology.

Consecutive pediatric cataract surgeries were reviewed with longitudinal intraocular pressure monitoring. Variables analyzed included age at surgery, IOL implantation versus aphakia, presence of anterior vitrectomy, and trauma history. Secondary glaucoma was defined as sustained elevation in IOP requiring medical or surgical management.

Secondary glaucoma incidence correlated with younger age at surgery. Eyes operated in infancy demonstrated higher long-term IOP instability. Aphakic patients showed slightly increased glaucoma tendency compared with primary IOL cases. Early identification enabled medical control in most cases, with few requiring surgical intervention.

Age at surgery remains the strongest predictor of postoperative glaucoma risk. Long-term structured surveillance is critical for early detection and prevention of vision-threatening complications.Pediatric cataract surgery does not end at wound closure — lifelong IOP monitoring is essential.