Physiology of monocular aphakia.

The refraction of the unilateral aphakic patient has been aided by recent improvements in the ophthalmometer. New techniques simplify retinoscopic assessment of the patient. Choice of the type of correction, ie, spectacle, contact lens, contact lens-spectacle combination, or intraocular lens, depends on several factors. One factor is image size difference in aphakic and phakic eyes, particularly if removal of a second cataract is not imminent and vision is good in both eyes. Simple approaches that allow approximate size correction and effective restoration of binocularity are described. The current status of correction of vision in unilateral aphakic infants and young children is also discussed.