Abstract
Purpose: To present the profile of keratoconic contact lens wearers, alongside with performance of corneal and scleral rigid gas permeable (RGP) at different stages of keratoconus based on limited diagnostic resources. Methods: 5-year Clinical records of keratoconic corneal and scleral RGP contact lens wearers were retrieved. Data on age, gender, visual acuity (VA), refraction (RE), stage of keratoconus and mode of correction among other variables were obtained for analysis. Information pertaining to the outcome in pre and post-fit at different severity was determined. Results: A total of 124 medical records were analyzed, with the age (20.86 ± 9.50 years), gender (58.9% male and 41.1% female), Laterality (57.3% bilateral, 26.6% right eye and left eye as 16.1%) and ethnicity (91.1% Africans and 8.9% Asians). There were no significant differences in effects of lenses (RGP and Scleral lenses) across three stages in visual acuity and in three stages of severity HRGP (2) = 1.05, p = 0.59; HScleral (1) = 2.24, p = 0.134. Similar non-significant effect was observed in refractive error correction HRGP (2) = 1.62, p = 0.44: HScleral (1) = 1.143, p = 0.285. Conclusion: The profile of KC contact lens wearer was comparable to other studies in developing setting. Keratoconic grading should be based on available resources. Corneal rigid gas permeable and scleral lenses were beneficial to keratoconic patients in respect of refractive error correction and visual improvement to keratoconic patient.
Highlights
Keratoconus (KC), as a non-inflammatory corneal ectasia, causes severe visual impairment if management is delayed, leading to dire visual burden among affected patients especially in low-income settings [1] [2] [3]
There were no significant differences in effects of lenses (RGP and Scleral lenses) across three stages in visual acuity and in three stages of severity HRGP (2) = 1.05, p = 0.59; HScleral (1) = 2.24, p = 0.134
Majority of contact lens wearers were of African origin (91.1%) while minority was Asian with 8.9%
Summary
Keratoconus (KC), as a non-inflammatory corneal ectasia, causes severe visual impairment if management is delayed, leading to dire visual burden among affected patients especially in low-income settings [1] [2] [3]. Keratoconus progressive nature calls for timely management using both optical and surgical treatments options. Spectacles, which remain the most affordable in low-income settings, cannot adequately correct for the irregular astigmatism caused by steep protruding cones. Corneal and scleral contact lenses remain the most preferred options for KC management due to their excellent vision outcome as compared to spectacles [7]. If fitted timely and skillfully, corneal and scleral contact lenses may provide avenues to negate and even postpone the need for corneal transplant [8] [9]
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