Pediatric contact lenses for medical indications

Abstract

Infants and children with special refractive needs can benefit greatly from contact lens correction. Ocular conditions that may particularly require contact lens correction include infantile/childhood aphakia, high refractive error including high anisometropia, and posttraumatic or infectious corneal scarring. Careful clinical evaluation and proper education of the patient and parents for the use and care of contact lenses is crucial to a successful contact lens regimen. This chapter will provide a guide to recognize the medical indications for contact lens wear in children, to understand the contact lens design options that meet specific patient needs, and to develop a working knowledge of the basic concepts required to achieve a proper contact lens fit. Emphasis will be placed on the aphakic infant since this is a common application for the medical use of contact lenses in childhood.