Therapeutic Use of Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Corneal Burns in Children
| Date Issued |
|---|
2006-10-06 |
Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Night & Day (ND) silicone hydrogel extended-wear contact lenses (CL) when used for therapeutic purposes in cases of corneal burns in children. Patients and methods: Consecutive cases of the I – IIo chemical burns in children, treated with bandage CL, admitted to Children Department of Eye Clinic, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania, (April 2003 – June 2006) were reviewed. All patients were fitted with ND CL (lotrafilcon A, 24 % water content). Patient satisfaction, pain relief, success or failure of specific treatment, presence of lens-related complications had been observed in each case. Results: ND CL had been used in 10 eyes (9 patients). Mean age was 8.0 ± 4.8 years (range from 1 to 17 years). Mean duration of continuous CL wear was 3.6 days (range from 1 to 8 days). Fit was successful in 9 eyes. One patient, who was admitted to the hospital 3 days after toxic gas eye burn, lost the contact lens in the first 24 hours, because of loose- fitting of CL on an eye with dry conjunctiva and acute inflammation. Treatment was fully successful with rapid improvement of corneal signs in 9 eyes (88%). Contact lens wear caused an excellent pain relief with no blepharospasm or discomfort in those children. Conclusion: Night & Day silicone hydrogel contact lenses were found to be safe and efficacious for continuous wear for therapeutic use in children . Therapeutic contact lenses were very effective for treatment of corneal burns, even in very young patients. It seems to be very important to fit contact lens in the first 24 hours after injury. Excellent pain relief, shorter time of hospitalisation or disablement, infrequent replacement of these lenses seems to be especially advantageous for children.