Pediatric phakic intraocular lens surgery: review of clinical studies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To report on the accumulating peer-reviewed data of phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation in the pediatric population. I evaluate and compare the published peer-reviewed articles for the reported efficacy and complications of phakic intraocular lens implantations in children for correction of clinically significant high refractive errors. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies have shown the relevancy and effectiveness of pIOL implantation as an alternative surgical management for highly significant pediatric ametropia in selective patients who are noncompliant with medical treatment. SUMMARY In the management of clinically significant severe pediatric ametropic and/or anisometropic myopia or hyperopia and in the event of nonadherence to traditional medical treatment, phakic anterior chamber IOL implantation is currently considered an effective modality of treatment. Long-term follow-up of pediatric patients following pIOL implantation is necessary. Future clinical trials should focus on children of various age groups to assess the variables of visual acuity gain or loss, stereopsis, contrast sensitivity, high-order aberrations, corneal physiology, and long-term complications to accurately and properly address the safety and efficacy of the type of and the best time for pIOL implantation in treatment and/or prevention of amblyopia in children.