Contact Lens Correction of Aphakia in Children: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To review the published literature to assess the visual outcomes and adverse events associated with the 2 most commonly used contact lenses for treating aphakia in children: silicone elastomer (SE) and rigid gas permeable (RGP). METHODS: Literature searches were last conducted in January 2018 in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases with no date or language restrictions. These combined searches yielded 167 citations, 27 of which were reviewed in full text. Of these, 10 articles were deemed appropriate for inclusion in this assessment and subsequently assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. RESULTS: The literature search identified 4 level II studies and 6 level III studies. There were insufficient data to compare visual outcomes for eyes treated using SE lenses versus RGP lenses. Silicone elastomer lenses have the advantage that they can be worn on an extended-wear basis, but they were associated with more adverse events than RGP lenses. These adverse events included microbial keratitis, corneal infiltrates, corneal edema, corneal scars, lenses adhering to the cornea, superficial punctate keratopathy, lid swelling, and conjunctival hyperemia. The lens replacement rate was approximately 50% higher for RGP lenses in the only study that directly compared SE and RGP lenses. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence was found in the literature on this topic. Silicone elastomer and RGP contact lenses were found to be effective for treating aphakia in children. Silicone elastomer lenses are easier to fit and may be worn on an extended-wear basis. Rigid gas permeable lenses must be removed every night and require a more customized fit, but they are associated with fewer adverse events. The choice of which lens a practitioner prescribes should be based on the particular needs of each patient.

Iris Clip Lens Implantation with Novel Approach for Aphakia After Previous Filtration Surgery.

Purpose To present a novel and simplified surgical technique of Artisan lens implantation for intraocular lens luxation and aphakia in glaucoma patients with previous superior filtration surgery. Methods Analysis of 12 patients with a history of previous superior filtration surgery for glaucoma, who underwent artisan lens implantation. To allow lens manipulation and implantation without alteration of the filtration bleb, the main sclerocorneal incision was performed laterally and the Artisan lens was held in place for enclavation of the iris stroma via a superior corneal incision without disturbing the filtration bleb. Results Mean pre-operative visual acuity was 0.54 ± 0.85 LogMAR, and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 15.8 ± 7.7 mmHg. At the end of follow-up (11.6 ± 8.1 months), visual acuity had improved to 0.32 ± 0.57 LogMAR and intraocular pressure was 14.7 ± 5.4 mmHg. No disturbance of the filtration bleb was observed. Conclusions Artisan lens implantation can be performed successfully via a combined lateral and superior approach despite the presence of a filtration bleb at the 12 o'clock position.

The importance of the relationship between the position of the correcting lens principal planes (H'1-H'2) and principal planes (H1-H2) of the optical eye system--aphakic correction.

In the clinical refraction of the eye, aniseikonia and anisometropia are inevitably used terms. Image formation and its retinal size is the function of the power of the dioptric eye system. However, the correcting lens in front of the eye and the eye optical system represent a unique optical afocal system, in which the distance between correcting lens and corneal vertex is of utmost importance, since it determines the size (together with appropriate correcting lens) of the retinal image. In the case of a monoculus, the size of the retinal image is not important. But, when correcting one eye while the other is emmetropic, it is important to correct it in the way that the image of the corrected eye does not produce considerable aniseikonia as a consequence of anisometropia. The authors hereby present mathematical calculation proving that if the principal point of the correcting lens P'2 is in the F1 of the emmetropic eye, meaning that? is equal to the front focal length of the emmetropic eye, there is no change in the refractive eye system, i.e. it becomes emmetropic and there is no change in the size of the retinal image. It means that an ideal position of the correcting lens in front of the eye guarantees no aniseikonia even in the extreme case of monocular aphakic spectacle correction.

Intralenticular bimanual irrigation: aspiration for subluxated lens in Marfan's syndrome.

We describe a new technique of aspiration of subluxated lens in young patients with Marfan's syndrome. Two small circular anterior capsulorhexis (1.5 mm to 2.0 mm) openings were created, and bimanual irrigation/aspiration was performed by introducing the irrigation cannula through 1 capsular opening and the aspiration cannula through the other. The irrigation cannula served the dual purpose of hydrating the lens matter and holding the lens in central position to ensure complete aspiration of the lens matter. The lens capsule was later removed and anterior vitrectomy performed by a vitrectomy cutter. This new technique of intralenticular irrigation/aspiration is effective and safe in performing lens aspiration in extensively dislocated crystalline lens in Marfan's syndrome.

Stereopsis results at 4.5 years of age in the infant aphakia treatment study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether stereopsis of infants treated for monocular cataracts varies with the type of optical correction used. DESIGN: Randomized prospective clinical trial. METHODS: The Infant Aphakia Treatment Study randomized 114 patients with unilateral cataracts at age 1-7 months to either primary intraocular lens (IOL) or contact lens correction. At 4.5 years of age a masked examiner assessed stereopsis on these patients using 3 different tests: (1) Frisby; (2) Randot Preschool; and (3) Titmus Fly. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (25%) had a positive response to at least 1 of the stereopsis tests. There was no statistically significant difference in stereopsis between the 2 treatment groups: Frisby (contact lens, 6 [11%]; IOL, 7 [13%]; P = .99), Randot (contact lens, 3 [6%]; IOL, 1 [2%]; P = .62), or Titmus (contact lens, 8 [15%]; IOL, 13 [23%]; P = .34). The median age at surgery for patients with stereopsis was younger than for those without stereopsis (1.2 vs 2.4 months; P = .002). The median visual acuity for patients with stereopsis was better than for those without stereopsis (20/40 vs 20/252; P = .0003). CONCLUSION: The type of optical correction did not influence stereopsis outcomes. However, 2 other factors did: age at surgery and visual acuity in the treated eye at age 4.5 years. Early surgery for unilateral congenital cataract and the presence of visual acuity better than or equal to 20/40 appear to be more important than the type of initial optical correction used for the development of stereopsis.

[Retroiridal implantation of a Verisyse™ iris claw lens: refractive outcome and individualized intraocular lens constants]. / Retroiridale Implantation einer Verisyse(TM) Irisklauenlinse : Refraktive Treffsicherheit und Anpassung der Kunstlinsenkonstanten.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of refractive predictability with retroiridal implantation of a Verisyse(TM) iris-claw lens (AMO) and optimization of the IOL-constants recommended by the manufacturer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study after retroiridal iris-claw lens implantation in the years 2007-2012 including 52 eyes of 50 patients with a lack of capsular support was carried out. Follow-up data was recorded on average 5 weeks after surgery. Demographic data, indications, accompanying diseases, biometrical data and refractive outcome were analysed and an individualization of the intraocular lens constants for the SRK/T-, Holladay-1, Hoffer-Q and Haigis-formula was carried out. RESULT: Indications for retroiridal implantation of a Verisyse(TM) lens were IOL luxation (32.7 %), complicated primary cataract surgery (25.0 %), secondary IOL Implantation (19.2 %), lens exchange (19.2 %) and luxation of the crystalline lens (3.8 %). Accompanying diseases were pancreatic diabetes (21.2 %), rheumatic diseases (7.7 %), homocystinuria (1.9 %), pseudoexfoliation of lens capsule (23.1 %), traumata (23.1 %), secondary glaucoma (23.1 %), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (9.6 %) and age related macular degeneration (5.8 %). Optimized IOL constants were an A-constant of 116.8 for the SRK/T formula, a surgeon factor (Holladay1) of 0.8, a pACD (HofferQ) of 4,4 and an a0 constant of 0,49 for the Haigis formula. Postoperative deviation of target refraction was within ± 2 D in 84.6 % of the eyes. CONCLUSION: The retroiridal Verisyse(TM) intraocular lens shows a broad spectrum of indications and achieves a good visual outcome. The previously published IOL constants show optimization potential due to the small number of cases.

Contact lens management of irregular corneas after traumatic aphakia: A pediatric case series.

PURPOSE: Pediatric patients account for 35% of all cases that present after ocular trauma and 20.9% of those result in a ruptured globe. When repairing the globe, the removal of the natural lens results in a significant change in refractive error and loss of accommodation. In addition, the eye can have scarring, irregular astigmatism, and changes to the ocular surface. Treatment and vision rehabilitation should be aggressive and done quickly to prevent amblyopia. Advanced lens designs are often needed to treat both the irregular ocular surface and the aphakia. Treatment options are often confounded with the usual issues of contact lens compliance, intolerance, and complications. CASE REPORT: This case series follows three aphakic pediatric patients through the contact lens fitting process after sustaining a ruptured globe that left them aphakic with residual irregular astigmatism and corneal scarring. Patient 1 is a 3-year-old Hispanic male fit with a bitoric gas permeable contact lens with irregular astigmatism and an elevated central corneal scarring. Patient 2 is a 12-year-old Caucasian male with minimal residual astigmatism fit in a multifocal soft contact lens. Patient 3 is an 8-year-old African American male fit with a hybrid contact lens that was needed to vault the irregular astigmatism and central corneal scarring. CONCLUSIONS: Treating patients with irregular corneas or aphakia can be challenging in their own right, but in combination are some of the most advanced specialty contact lens fittings. This case series followed three pediatric patients through the fitting process and demonstrated the options and challenges when fitting this unique patient population.

Development of acuity in a primate model of human infantile unilateral aphakia.

We are studying infant rhesus monkeys that have been reared under various conditions of deprivation to model infantile unilateral aphakia. Grating acuity was assessed in these monkeys from birth to approximately 1 year of age using the quick acuity card procedure. We found that an uncorrected aphakic eye develops little or no pattern vision. Undercorrection or near point optical correction of an aphakic eye with an extended-wear contact lens coupled with continuous occlusion of the opposite eye sometimes results in normal development of acuity in the aphakic eye but does so only at the cost of loss of vision in the occluded eye. Fifty percent partial occlusion coupled with near-point correction of the aphakic eye results in similar development of acuity for both eyes during the time tested. Monkeys wearing near-point correction in the aphakic eye and without any occlusion of the other eye show surprisingly good residual acuities in their aphakic eyes. Based on these results we conclude that aphakic eyes should be treated by providing them with an optical correction, and that occlusion of the opposite eye should be used cautiously.

Iontophoresis of gentamicin into aphakic rabbit eyes. Sustained vitreal levels.

The authors evaluated the intraocular penetration of gentamicin (50 mg/ml) into aphakic rabbit eyes following anodal iontophoresis (0.75 mA for 10 min). Gentamicin levels were determined at 0.5, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hrs after iontophoresis (n = 6 eyes for each time) using an agar diffusion bioassay. Peak levels of 72.04 +/- 6.1 (means +/- SE) micrograms/ml for the corneas and 77.8 +/- 3.0 micrograms/ml for the aqueous humor were obtained at 30 min after iontophoresis. The peak vitreous level was 10.4 +/- 0.4 micrograms/ml, which was found at 16 hrs after iontophoresis. Therapeutic levels of 6.2 +/- 3.0 micrograms/ml were still present in the vitreous humor 24 hrs after iontophoresis. Iontophoresis appears to be an effective noninvasive method for delivering therapeutic levels of gentamicin into ocular tissues and fluids of the aphakic rabbit eye.

Spectral transmission characteristics of intraocular and aphakic contact lenses.

Of seven intraocular and 13 aphakic hard contact lenses evaluated for their transmission characteristics to near UV radiation, all intraocular lenses and 12 of 13 hard contact lenses showed high transmission peaks for UV radiation between 300 and 400 nm.

Extended-wear soft contact lenses for aphakic correction.

Evaluation of an extended-wear perfilcon A soft contact lens (Permalens) in 299 eyes of 244 patients showed that 266 eyes (89%) were successfully fitted and wore the lenses without important complications (mean follow-up, 23 months; range, four to 48 months). Use of the lens in 33 eyes was discontinued because of transient lens-related problems. "Overcorrected" acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or better (with spectacles plus the contact lens) was achieved in all patients who were without vitreous, retinal, or optic nerve disease. Seventy-six percent of patients could wear the lens for longer than one-month intervals, and 30% removed the lens at four- to six-month intervals. There were no cases of infectious corneal ulcers or scarring or permanent visual loss. Our more limited experience with lidofilcon B lenses (Sauflon PW) (24 eyes) and the silicone lenses (Silsoft) (25 eyes) also showed beneficial results.

Persistent corneal edema in aphakic eyes from daily-wear and extended-wear contact lenses.

Corneal edema developed in seven aphakic eyes of six patients (three men and three women ranging in age from 60 to 88 years) who used daily- or extended-wear hydrophilic and silicone contact lenses. This edema, which developed suddenly, persisted despite discontinuation of contact lens wear and treatment with topical corticosteroids. The onset of the edema occurred in two patterns. In three eyes, edema occurred soon (30 minutes to 30 days) after the contact lens was first worn and persisted during follow-up periods averaging 15 months. In the other four eyes, the edema developed late, after 20 to 66 months. In three of these eyes, edema resolved after follow-up periods averaging seven months. In the fourth eye, it was still present after 18 months. Of the affected eyes in which peripheral endothelial cell densities could be measured, all but one had fewer than 800 cells/mm2. Central cell densities in the five uninvolved fellow eyes averaged 1,964 cells/mm2. Marked polymegathism and cornea guttata were present in all affected and fellow eyes. We believe this condition is a complication of aphakic contact lens wear, distinct from contact-lens-intolerance syndrome and aphakic bullous keratopathy.

Aphakic extended-wear contact lenses after penetrating keratoplasty.

Fifteen aphakic eyes in 15 selected patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty were successfully fitted with extended-wear contact lenses three to 42 months postoperatively. After an average follow-up of 17 months, there was no graft edema, no microbial corneal ulcers, and no episode of graft rejection. Three eyes developed minor (1 to 2 mm) graft neovascularization; the neovascularization was stable and did not require discontinuation of the contact lenses. Fourteen of the 15 patients had postoperative visual acuities of 20/70 or better; the one patient whose visual acuity was worse than 20/70 had a clear graft but also had senile macular degeneration.

Corneal ulcers associated with extended-wear soft contact lenses.

We treated nine myopic and nine aphakic eyes in patients who developed corneal ulcers while wearing extended-wear soft contact lenses. Bacteria were recovered from the corneal ulcers of 13 of 18 patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the pathogen most frequently isolated. Chemical disinfection was used by seven of the nine patients with myopia and eight of the nine with aphakia. Two of nine patients in the myopic group had visual loss to 20/200 and hand movements; five of nine patients in the aphakic group had visual loss to 20/50 or worse. Invasion of the corneal stroma by bacteria may occur after breakdown of the epithelial barrier by contact lens manipulation or after chronic overnight anoxic stress. Thus, the use of soft contact lenses on an extended-wear basis may be complicated by the development of corneal ulcers. Both aphakic and myopic eyes are at risk.

Outpatient keratoplasty.

Outpatient keratoplasty in 103 patients (46 males and 57 females ranging in age from 1 to 90 years) produced no instances of infection, shallow or flat anterior chambers, or anterior synechia formation. Postoperative discomfort was minimal.

Intractable diplopia after vision restoration in unilateral cataract.

Twenty-four patients lost their ability to fuse when their binocular function was disrupted for at least 2 1/2 years by a unilateral traumatic cataract or a unilateral traumatic cataract followed by uncorrected aphakia. Three patients were 6 years old, one was 8 years old, and the remaining 20 patients were aged 10 years or older at the time of the injury. All patients had intractable diplopia when the cataract was removed and the aphakia corrected. Aniseikonia was not the cause of this inability to fuse and the insertion of an intraocular lens provided no relief. The prognosis for the elimination of diplopia, other than by occlusion of one eye, was poor.

Early results of epikeratophakia.

One hundred and seven patients underwent epikeratophakia for either adult or pediatric aphakia, keratoconus or myopia at the Ohio State University. Minimum follow-up was 3 months. There were four graft removals. Objective postoperative refractions revealed that an average of 70, 72, and 54% of all patients achieved at least 20/40 acuity in adult aphakia, keratoconus and myopia, respectively. In pediatric aphakia, postoperative refraction revealed that an average of 31% of patients achieved at least 20/50 acuity. These results are presented and complications necessitating graft removal are discussed.

Contact lenses for infant aphakia.

We prospectively studied for three years the optical correction by contact lenses of 83 aphakic infants (141 eyes) who generally also had systemic and other ocular anomalies: 85% of the patients tolerated the lens wear for the whole study period. Complications occurred in 46 eyes and led to cessation of lens wear in two cases. Ten patients abandoned the lenses for other reasons. Thirty-four eyes needed subsequent intraocular surgery, mostly minor, and nine patients had strabismus surgery. Contact lenses are a versatile, safe, successful, and cost effective treatment for aphakia in infancy against which, before their widespread introduction for primary optical correction of infant aphakia, other methods of aphakic treatment need to be compared.

Pseudophakia in children: precautions, technique, and feasibility.

Intraocular lens implantation in young children can yield satisfactory results when the surgical techniques are modified and adapted to the child's eye. Between June 1983 and July 1988, 84 posterior chamber lenses were implanted in 80 children aged 2 months to 8 years. An elective posterior capsulotomy followed by an anterior vitrectomy was performed in all cases prior to the lens insertion. This step allowed a permanent clear visual axis which in turn has facilitated visual rehabilitation of the pseudophakic eye. The best results occurred in the developmental cataract group followed by the traumatic cataract group; the poorest visual outcome occurred in patients with unilateral congenital cataracts. Amblyopia treatment and alternative methods of correcting pediatric aphakia are discussed.