Intraocular lenses versus extended-wear contact lenses in aphakic rehabilitation. A controlled clinical study.

A controlled clinical study with random allocation of method of rehabilitation (lens implant or contact lenses) was designed for comparative outcome assessments. Sixty-one patients were included in the study: 31 patients randomized to lens implantation and 30 patients to extended-wear contact lens rehabilitation with early post-operative fitting. Complication rates were low in both groups with slight accumulation of intraocular complications in the implant group and of external complications in the contact lens group. We found no significant differences between the groups in final visual acuity, in vision dependent practical functioning, or in patients' contentment. Two main points summarize our results and impressions from this study: At the expense of a slightly higher risk the lens implant patients get the most convenient and comfortable rehabilitation and at the expense of frequent visits for follow-up and lens cleaning the contact lens patients get the safest rehabilitation. The patient offered contact lens rehabilitation should be capable of alert cooperation, fairly mobile and living within easy access to ophthalmic service, while the patient offered lens implant does not need to fulfill these criteria.