Speciality lenses: Paediatric contact lenses

The use of contact lenses in children will come under the microscope during a specialist lecture at BCLA Asia, giving practitioners the chance to learn more about when and how to fit young patients with pathological and congential disorders.
Delegates at the first ever BCLA Asia – which is being held in Hong Kong next month – will have the opportunity to learn more about the different types of lenses designed specifically for children and when best to prescribe them.

Topics to be discussed will include the use of cosmetic lenses to help with unsightly eye conditions.

The session will be led by Lynne Speedwell (pictured), who has spent the majority of her career in hospital optometry in London. Lynne is currently Head of Optometry at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and part-time principal optometrist at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

She said: “A child with an unsightly eye is likely to be self-conscious and can find life difficult if they are teased in school because of it.  Fitting a cosmetic lens can have a profound effect on their self-esteem as well as helping the parents come to terms with the appearance.”

The most common pathological condition requiring lens fitting in young children is aphakia following surgery for congenital cataracts, traumatic cataracts, persistent foetal vitreous or ectopia lentis.  

The talk will cover lenses fitted in a paediatric clinic for the various types of aphakia as well as some photophobic or unsightly eye conditions.  The social aspects of paediatric lens fitting will also be discussed.

By attending the lecture, delegates will learn more about different types of aphakia in children and be able to fit young children and infants with contact lenses.

Practitioners will better understand some of the photophobic and unsightly conditions requiring tinted lenses and understand the social aspect of contact lens wear in children.

The session will be held at 4.30pm on Tuesday, September 13 as part of BCLA Asia at the Cordis Langham Place hotel in Hong Kong.
Find out more about the programme and to book your place here.