Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are a safe and effective means of treating refractive abnormalities in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: This study examined the safety, efficacy, and tolerance of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses in a pediatric population. The study also considered the economic impact of RGP contact lens wear in children.

METHODS

Retrospectively, we reviewed 12 consecutive charts of children with multiple diagnoses of trauma (n = 5), high myopia (n = 1), surgical aphakia (n = 5), corneal scar (n = 4), and microophthalmia (n = 2) who were considered for RGP contact lenses.

RESULTS

Fifteen eyes of 12 patients were originally fit with RGP contact lenses. Ten of 12 (83.3%) children were still wearing their RGP contact lenses after a mean follow-up of 17.8 months. Two of 12 patients (16.7%) stopped RGP use. Two of 10 (20%) patients wore their RGP contact lenses for extended wear. Eight of 10 (80%) patients were successful in daily insertion and removal of RGP contact lenses. There were no adverse events secondary to contact lens use in any patients. An average of 2.18 (range: 0.97-4.55) replacement lenses were needed per patient per 6 month interval.

CONCLUSIONS

RGP contact lenses are a safe, effective, and tolerable means of treating refractive abnormalities in the pediatric population. With proper education, families can be successful with daily RGP insertion and removal. RGP contact lenses have the advantage of excellent oxygen transmissibility, low bacterial and protein adherence, and the potential to correct irregular astigmatism. Disadvantages include frequent lens replacement.