Fluid Ventilated Scleral Contact Lenses In Pediatric Patients: Challenges And Outcome

Abstract

Purpose: : To study the indications for fitting of fluid ventilated scleral contact lenses in paediatric patients

Methods: : We did retrospective review of charts of paediatric patients of 16 years or less who received fluid ventilated scleral contact lenses. Main goal of fitting was either to improve visual acuity in irregular astigmatism or to improve ocular microenvironment in Ocular Surface Disease (OSD).

Results: : 20 eyes of 15 paediatric patients were included. The mean age of the patients at the time of fitting was 12 ± 2.7 years (age range 8-16years). Eight were girls and 7 were boys. The indications are irregular astigmatism and ocular surface disease or both co-existing. The indications for fitting of these lenses was keratoconus(KC)(n=3 eyes), Stevens Johnson syndrome(SJS)(n=12eyes), radiation keratopathy(n=1 eye) combined KC and SJS (n=1 eye) and KC and VKC (n=3 eyes). Post-BOSP wear mean LogMAR visual acuity was 0.88. Mean follow-up was 20 months. Average daily lens wear was 9 (SD,2.07) hours. Of the 15 children, 5 patients were dependent on their parents for insertion and removal of the lenses and 10 patients were self sufficient. . A minimum of three sessions were required for the training of lens insertion and removal. The mean follow up was 20.66±21.23 months (range was 1-60 months). There was an incidence of broken lenses in two patients.

Conclusions: : BOSP is useful in paediatric patients who have irregular astigmatism and OSD. The challenges are easily overcome by appropriate training of both parents and the child.

Keywords: contact lens • keratoconus