CONTACT GLASSES FOR CORRECTION OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN MONOCULAR APHAKIA

Abstract

The problem of refraction in cases of monocular aphakia is as old as ophthalmology itself. The difficulty in prescribing lenses for both eyes is frequently encountered, and the explanation given as to why the two eyes cannot function harmoniously is usually hard for the patient to accept. Heretofore when a patient presented himself with a monocular cataract it was necessary to decide whether to operate or not. The decrease in the visual field and the annoyance of an economically blind eye were points in favor of operation. However, the disappointment to the patient when the refractive errors of the two eyes could not be harmoniously corrected was usually the deciding factor against operation. Only since the use of contact glasses has this factor been overcome. HISTORY OF CONTACT GLASSES Contact glasses were first used by Herschel in 1827, although the first experiments in the departure from the ordinary optical lens