E-Mail IMAGE: The meshwork and angle are structures that allow fluid to exit the eye, as shown. Scientists speculate that surgery to remove the cataract interferes with the maturation of this "drainage "... view more Credit: National Eye Institute Children who undergo cataract surgery as infants have a 22% risk of glaucoma 10 years later, whether or not they receive an intraocular lens implant. The findings come from the National Eye Institute (NEI)-funded Infant Aphakic Treatment Study, which today published 10-year follow-up results in JAMA Ophthalmology. NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health. "These findings underscore the need for long-term glaucoma surveillance among infant cataract surgery patients. They also provide some measure of assurance that it is not necessary to place an intraocular lens at the time of cataract surgery," said Michael F. Chiang, M.D., director of NEI.