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Risks and difficulties of the treatment of aphakia in infancy
Insights
Contact lens treatment for bilateral infantile aphakia in children shows significant corneal complications but is manageable. These risks may be justified by potential improvements in visual function for aphakic patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Corneal Science
Background:
- Infantile aphakia presents significant visual challenges.
- Contact lens fitting is a common management strategy for aphakia.
- Long-term data on contact lens complications in this population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review corneal complications associated with contact lens use in bilateral infantile aphakic patients.
- To assess the risk-benefit ratio of contact lens treatment for infantile aphakia.
- To evaluate the potential for improved visual function with contact lens correction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records.
- Analysis of data sheets for 43 bilateral infantile aphakic patients.
- Evaluation of corneal complications and visual outcomes.
Main Results:
- Substantial corneal complications were observed in patients treated with contact lenses.
- These complications were found to be surmountable with appropriate management.
- Preliminary data suggests potential for improved visual function.
Conclusions:
- Contact lens treatment for bilateral infantile aphakia carries significant corneal risks.
- These risks appear manageable and potentially justifiable.
- Further research is needed to substantiate the reported improvements in visual function.
Abstract:
In a clinic where 250 children have been fitted with contact lenses between 1976 and 1982, one hundred and five were bilateral infantile aphakic patients. A review of the data sheets of 43 bilateral infantile aphakic patients in this group implies that the corneal complications of treatment are substantial but surmountable and that the risks and difficulties of contact lens treatment are probably justifiable if the recent reports of improved visual function in these patients are substantiated.