Post-Operative Refractive Correction and Contact Lens Fitting in the Aphakic Patient

Abstract

Postoperative refractive correction of the aphakic infant can be accomplished using contact lens (CL) and/or glasses. The presence of monocular or binocular aphakia, the condition, or health of the aphakic eye(s), and the home environment of the child all play key roles in determining the most appropriate means of correction. When contact lenses are used a variety of lens materials are available. These include Soft, Silicone, Rigid Gas Permeable and Hard (PMMA). The choice depends on the corneal steepness, and diameter, the refractive power of the eye, the selected wearing schedule, and the preference of the CL fitter. Glasses are important to prescribe to the aphakic child for use when the contact lenses have been removed. Bifocal correction will be necessary for both monocular and binocular aphakia, whether in aphakic spectacles, or in glasses to be worn over the aphakic contact lenses. This paper is a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of contact lens use with aphakic children, the use of specific types of contact lens plastics for refractive correction, and the role of glasses for the aphakic child.