The Specialised Orthoptic Role in Management of Contact Lens Use in Infants

Stephanie Sendelbeck, BAppSci(Orth)Hons
Louise Brennan, BAppSci(Orth)Hons
Orthoptic Department, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia

Contact lenses are a standard method of correcting aphakia during infancy. Aphakia in infancy occurs secondary to congenital cataracts, PHPV, ectopia lentis and some penetrating eye injuries. Contact lenses may also be used to correct high anisometropic refractive errors in infants. A retrospective review was carried out on patients attending the Eye Clinic at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead who required contact lens correction over a seven year period from 2000 to 2007. This paper discusses specialised techniques related to the use of contact lenses in theseinfants and the orthoptists role in the management of patients with contact lenses.