Children and Contact Lenses: Where Do They Fit into the Spectrum of Care?

Headnote

Abstract

Many improvements have been made by the contact lens industry in the past decade. Eye care providers should take afresh look at the use of contact lenses as part of their vision correction plan for the pediatric population. It is not uncommon for practitioners to tell parents that their child cannot befitted into contact lenses until at least 13 years of age. Recent studies are proving that children are at no additional health risk, are just as satisfied, and are as capable of caring for their lenses as compared to teens. Children and teens benefit equally in self perception and confidence in terms of appearance and correction during their given activities. Beyond normal vision correction, contact lenses are also being examined for their ability to halt the progression of myopia, as well as their role in correction of infant aphakia. The following article provides a review of the latest findings and attitudes for fitting children into contact lenses.

Key Words

ACHIEVE, aphakia, contact lenses, daily disposable, CLIP, orthokeratology, pediatrics

Introduction

Vision correction can have a significant impact on a child's life and development. Improving vision in young children affects how the individuals interact with the world.1 Evolving technologies raise new questions regarding the safe use of contact lenses in pediatric eye care. Practitioner attitudes are changing as multiple recent studies have concluded that fitting contact lenses in children improves a child's self-perception, does not increase the risk of adverse events, and is not anymore demanding of a practitioner's time. In the not too distant past there were many fears, as well as limited lens options, that made an optometrist reluctant to fit a child into contact lenses. Common concerns included a child's lack of responsibility to care for lenses, decreased ability to successfully insert or remove lenses, and an increased risk of adverse effects such as contact lens-induced acute red eye (CLARE) or, infiltrative or microbial keratitis. Prescribing contact lenses was reserved for children on a medically necessary basis or until the child had reached the teenage years.

Lens Options for Children

Vast improvements have been made in contact lens technology in the past decade. New lens materials increase oxygen permeability, improving comfort and physiology. Multiple replacement options exist, including daily, biweekly,...