Contact lens fitting and training in a child and youth population. Issue 6 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paquette, Lindsay; Jones, Deborah A.; Sears, Megan; Nandakumar, Krithika; Woods, Craig A.
• Is Part Of: Contact lens & anterior eye. Volume 38:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 423
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Contact lens -- Children -- Contact lens training -- Contact lens fitting -- Myopia; Anterior segment (Eye) -- Periodicals; Contact lenses -- Periodicals; Segment antérieur (Œil) -- Périodiques; Lentilles de contact -- Périodiques; 617.752305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2015.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-0484

Abstract

Highlights: Children and youth with no previous contact lens experience were easily fitted with contact lenses and were able to care for their lenses. The training times for all children in this study were not dependent on their age. The majority of children in this study only required one training visit. The results of this study suggest children can be successfully taught how to successfully insertion and remove contact lenses. This study demonstrated that on average children took 30 min to be taught handling, insertion, removal and care for contact lenses. Abstract: Purpose: To determine the ease with which children and youths without previous soft contact lens (SCL) experience were able to handle, care for, adapt and be fitted with SCLs. Methods: 179 children aged 8–16 were recruited. Study visits included: screening and training visits, 1-week and 3-month follow-ups. During the training visit, the time taken to demonstrate proficiency in lens insertion and removal and care was recorded. A second training visit was scheduled if necessary. Results: Nine children did not complete the screening visit and eight discontinued during the study. Of those eight, seven discontinued during the first week and one before the 3-month visit. Of those recruited, 90.5% (162/179) were successfully fitted and completed the study. A majority of children were dispensed with lenses at the first training visit (94.6%, 162/171). The mean training time for all children was 30 min. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of lenses required to fit or instruction time by age group ( p > 0.05) or gender ( p > 0.05). Nine participants (5.3%, 9/171) required a second training visit with four still unable to handle lenses (2.3%, 4/171). By the 1-week visit 13.2% (22/167) of participants either lost or tore lenses, no subsequent lost or torn lenses occurred. No serious adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusion: Children and youths with no previous contact lens experience were easily fitted, able to successfully wear and care for lenses. The results of this study should encourage practitioners to recommend SCLs as a vision correction option.