Retinoscopy Values and Contact Lens Application in Rehabilitation of Infantile Aphakia

Abstract

Purpose: Infantile cataracts are among the important conditions that cause amblyopia related visual impairment in childhood. There arediffi culties of obtaining accurate measurements of aphakic corrections in babies after cataract extraction. For infant aphakia, when measurementscannot be taken, there are some recommendations for using contact lenses of +32.00 D for babies up to 6 months and +29.00 D for babies of6-12 months. A study was conducted to test the accuracy of these recommendations and it was intended to make some recommendations forthe development of rehabilitation of infantile aphakia.Material and Methods: The fi les of the babies, younger than 12 months, whom cataract extraction was performed and retinoscopic valueswere determined, between May 2010 and April 2013, were reviewed.Results: Of the 36 patients, whose fi les were accessed, 24 were male and 12 were female; the mean age was 5 months and ages ranged from1 month to 11 months. The retinoscopic values of the patients were between +7.25 D and + 21.50 D; mean and standard deviation of sphericalequivalents were + 16.38±2.92 for right eyes; and + 16.26±3.03 for left eyes. Considering the vertex correction and visual spheres of thepatients, the majority of the contact lens values were ranged between +18.00 and +28.00 D.Conclusion: The recommendations of correction of infantile aphakia with +32.00 D contact lenses up to 6 month infants and +29.00 D for 6-12months infants are inappropriate. If these recommendations are applied, up to +10.00 D of different correction might be found in the patientsin the research group. Although the standard degree of contact lenses could be used in cases where measurements cannot be taken; accuratecontact lens measurement should be performed in the earliest possible time and best possible contact lens degrees should be prescribed to theaphakic infants