More on Infant Contacts for Aphakic Children

The contact Tommy uses is a Bausch and Lomb Silsoft lens.  We didn't have a choice of lenses, this is just what our ophthalmologist prescribed.  These are extended wear (our doctor recommends changing weekly, although the package insert says that some people change them monthly).  Upon further research, I'm happy he chose these!

Most ophthalmology text books recommend the following guidelines for infant contacts:
1.  Lenses should have maximum oxygen permeability
2.  Lenses should have variety of power options available
3.  Infant lenses need a steeper base curve
4.  Infant lenses need small diameters
5.  Lenses need to be easy to handle and fairly sturdy
6.  Lenses need to be able to tolerate medication administration
7.  Lenses should be reproducible
Source:  Scalfani L.  Aphakia. In: Horn MM and Bruce AS, eds. Manual of Contact Lens Prescribing and Fitting. 3rd Ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Inc, 2006; 577-8.

Silsoft lenses meet all criteria- AND they are extended wear, which makes it easier for our busy family.  In addition, Bausch and Lomb has great customer service.  Tommy's contact was ~2.5 months old and it began to cause eye irritation (red and itchy while contact was in).  I called the manufacturer to inquire about potential problems, and they were very helpful.  They sent me a new lens (at no charge!) and sent a postage-paid mailing label to send his old one back so they could examine it.  The new lens came within 5 days as promised.

I found an interesting link while researching them... some of you may find this helpful: http://www.revoptom.com/content/d/news_review/c/18417/dnnprintmode/true/?skinsrc=%5Bl%5Dskins/ro2009/pageprint&containersrc=%5Bl%5Dcontainers/ro2009/simple

I've read a little bit about other lenses, but have no experience, so here is just a listing:  Flexlens (daily wear), Kontur Kontacts (daily wear), Alden Optical Lenses... and I am sure this is not a complete list!