Correcting low vision in aphakic children.

There are many children who have subnormal vision in spite of successful cataract surgery and aphakic spectacle lenses. There are children who have lens opacities for whom the state of aphakia would not be an improvement. Careful evaluation of functional vision, careful refraction, and the prescription of high adds or other optical devices are part of complete ophthalmological care for every one of these children. The dioptric strength of the reading add is determined by the functional reading vision and the calculation of the reciprocal of the visual acuity. It is also important to realize that many children who have lens opacities do not require special aids; functional vision is adequate until their accommodative reserve wanes with age. Continuous-wear contact lenses may eventually replace spectacle corrections for the aphakic child.