Use of contact lenses to correct aphakia in children

Contact lenses play an important role in the management of childhood aphakia. However, the use and care of the lenses can be challenging. The aim of this study was to determine how parents coped and what problems they encountered.

Thirty-one families of aphakic children who were fitted with contact lenses between 1990 and 1997 were contacted and invited to participate in a telephone survey.

Thirty families agreed to participate. Eighteen families (60%) were still using contact lenses successfully at the time of the study. Four families (13.3%) stopped using contact lenses within a year because of overwhelming difficulties handling the lenses. There was an initial learn-ing process that was often stressful and frustrating. The learning curve lasted from 1 to 24 months (first quartile 2.0 months; median 3.3 months; third quartile 15.0 months). The personality of the parent, temperament of the child and the frequency at which problems occurred may all have contributed to how each family coped with the lenses. Common initial problems included inserting the lenses into the eyes of an uncooperative child and the loss of lenses. Other problems included irritation associated with dryness, and the financial cost of maintaining the lenses.

Although most parents initially found contact lenses daunting, 70% of families surveyed eventually learned to cope well. Parents felt that proper education of both parents and children on why the lenses were required, a good appreciation of problems that may occur, a strong social support network and adequate financial aid were important factors in learning to cope.