Gas permeable haptic lenses

Abstract

The evolution of contact lenses has seen development of materials to make lenses that are easier to fit and more comfortable to wear. With this development has come unfortunate neglect of haptic lens, and yet this lens is lens of choice in many cases. This neglect of haptic lens means that some patients are left without only optical aid that would provide them with useful vision. In Australia, trend of contact lens fitting and contact lens education has been very much soft lens orientated. The Universities that educate our optometrists teach almost exclusively soft lens techniques. The teaching of hard lens fitting is limited, and it would seem that fitting of a haptic lens is no longer considered a necessary option. Dr. Koeting in January 1981 issue of Contacto(1) described results of a survey in which he asked the ten things practitioners don't want to know about contact lenses. The lens that topped list was scleral or haptic lens. The basic reason for this trend is expediency for contact lens practitioner. What is easy and quick has become norm and this is unfortunately leading to demise of haptic lens practitioner. Learning fitting techniques and meeting individual needs and design of each haptic lens is time consuming. It is not a volume sales product and therefore has not attracted favour of large contact lens Companies. That patients of future may not have available unique benefits of haptic lens, would I believe, be a tragedy. The advantages that a haptic lens offers over other lenses is well documented. Ocular conditions that are especially suited for haptic lenses include:--