Contact Lenses in Pediatric Ophthalmological Practice

Abstract

Last years, the problem of using contact lenses (CL) in pediatric ophthalmic practice has become more important. It is associated with an increasing need for contact vision correction in children and with the improvement of its capabilities in relation to pediatric ophthalmic practice. Currently, the indication for contact lenses use in children are the same as for the adults (with certain specific and limitations). But there are also a number of specific indications in children’s practice. The article provides an overview of the domestic and foreign literature data (periodicals and monographs) relating to various aspects of the use of contact lenses in pediatric ophthalmic practice. The contact lenses use for medical indications has a number of advantages over another more traditional method of vision correction — glasses. Rational correction of the most common refractive error — myopia with the help of CL helps normalize accommodation, convergence, reduce the risk of complications associated with the myopia’s progression, helps to slow down the processes of eyeball’s elongation by reducing the peripheral defocus, and during the period of functional formation of the visual organ (up to 15 years) helps to form binocular and stereoscopic vision. Uncorrected ametropia (especially high degrees) in childhood leads to maladaptation of visual perception. Rational correction of refractive errors with CL allows children to adapt to environmental conditions better, have higher indicators of health and psychological comfort among peers in comparison with children wearing glasses. The mode of wearing lenses depends on the purpose of correction, age, type of lens and material, tolerance of correction, manipulation skills, and other factors. The ophthalmologist determines the mode of wearing individually in each case. Modern materials and the use of one-day MCL can reduce the risk of complications. Selection of contact lenses for young children is a complex process and requires joint efforts of the ophthalmologist and parents. The examination algorithm for the CL’s selection is identical to the selection of lenses for adult patients, but contains the use of some additional tests aimed at assessing accommodation and binocular vision. In the process of selecting contact lenses for children, the ophthalmologist may face two main problems: the inability to determine the exact parameters of the cornea and manipulative difficulties associated with the anatomical and psychological characteristics of young patients.