by Joel Harrison
14. June 2011 14:42
In her latest article in Contact Lenses Today, Loretta B. Szczotka-Flynn, OD, PhD, MS, FAAO, deals with the problem of aphakia (absence of the lens in the eye) in young children after surgical removal of congenital cataracts.
Dr Szczotka-Flynn was involved in the treatment of such children (as young as 4 weeks) with special contact lenses and quotes the results of a study concerning the matter, which was published last year. The study, conducted by Chen et al., included 15 infants who were fitted with contact lenses because of aphakia. As a result of this treatment, approximately 50% of these children developed very good vision, and another 27% - moderate visual acuity. The researchers concluded that children (aged older than 5 years) with congenital cataracts can have excellent vision if the cataracts are removed early and they undergo aggressive contact lens treatment.
Such results mean, Dr Szczotka-Lynn concludes, great news for the parents of children who are born with cataracts.
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