Scleral contact lenses: the expanding role.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the current indications for scleral contact lens (ScCL) management at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.


METHODS
A database of 1003 patients (1560 eyes) seen between September 1999 and May 2003, either assessed for an ScCL trial or to follow up previously issued lenses, was analyzed.


RESULTS
The major contact lens indication groups were keratoconus or other primary corneal ectasia (PCE), corneal transplant, and ocular surface disease (OSD). The 3 main small groups were aphakia, myopia, and ptosis. A total of 538 patients continued lens wear in 1 or both eyes, for a total of 808 eyes. The total numbers of eyes for each contact lens indication were PCE, 496 (61.4%); corneal transplant, 150 (18.6%); OSD, 91 (11.4%); aphakia, 17 (2.1%); myopia 21 (2.6%); ptosis 14 (1.7%); and a miscellaneous indication, 19 (2.2%). The percentages were similar to those of the total group of 1560 eyes. Seven hundred twenty lenses (89.1%) were rigid gas permeable (RGP), 708 were nonventilated, and 12 were fenestrated; 88 (10.9%) were ventilated polymethylmethacrylate or ptosis props.


CONCLUSIONS
ScCLs continue to play a significant role in the management of corneal abnormalities, especially PCE, corneal transplant, and OSD. The great majority of lenses in use were nonventilated RGP designs.
Pullum
Kenneth W
KW
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Whiting
Mark A
MA
Buckley
Roger J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000592:standards; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology