by Joel Harrison
15. August 2010 12:12
It may seem strange to put contact lenses in babies’ eyes, but this has proved to be a very effective method of treating some serious conditions.
Some children develop cataracts even before they are born, so to save their eyesight, doctors remove their natural lenses as soon as possible. Next, the little patients are fitted with contact lenses, which enable their eyes to develop normally, as human visual pathways do not mature until the age of eight.
Specialist suggest that the contact lens therapy should begin as early as three weeks after birth, since babies adapt very quickly and this solves many potential problems before they arise.
It is estimated that one in five preemies has an eye condition. This makes it extremely important to examine all prematurely born babies thoroughly in order to avoid severe complications potentially leading to permanent blindness. That is why some countries have already introduced compulsory eye examinations – including pupil dilation and fundoscopy - in infants under three months old.
Subscribe