[Pediatric contact lens users in public and private services: comparative analysis]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Contact Lens Technology

Background:

• Contact lens use in pediatric populations is crucial for visual correction and management of various ocular conditions.
• Understanding the differences in indications, types, and complications between public and private healthcare settings is essential for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the indications, types, complications, and visual acuity associated with contact lens use in children across public and private ophthalmological services.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records from 59 contact lens users in a private service and 43 in a public service.
• Data collected included demographics, age at first examination, indication for lens use, lens type, complications, and visual acuity.

Main Results:

• Private services: Ametropia (55.9%) and anisometropia (18.6%) were primary indications. Soft, permanent-use lenses were most common (45.8%). Discomfort was the main complication (33.3%).
• Public services: Anisometropia (23.2%), ametropia (18.6%), leukoma (18.6%), and phthisis (16.3%) were key indications. Soft, permanent-use lenses were prevalent (32.6%). Lens loss was the most frequent complication (60%).
• Visual acuity outcomes were similar across the majority of patients in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Indications for pediatric contact lens use vary significantly between private (refractive errors) and public (refractive errors and corneal conditions) ophthalmological services.
• Soft, permanent-use contact lenses are widely prescribed in both settings.
• Complication profiles differ, with discomfort being more common in private settings and lens loss in public settings.