Custom Soft Corner: Soft Contact Lens Management for Aphakia

By
TIFFANY ANDRZEJEWSKI, OD
March 1, 2026
5 min

Contact Lens Spectrum

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness and management of specialty soft contact lenses (SCLs) for treating aphakia in pediatric and adult patients, particularly in comparison to GP lenses.

Key Findings:

SCLs provide comfort and ease of handling for aphakic patients.
Pediatric patients benefit from SCLs, reducing the need for IOLs and improving visual outcomes significantly.
Adult patients under 70 have high success rates with daily-wear SCLs, while those over 70 face significant challenges due to handling difficulties.
Custom fitting and material choice are essential for effective management, impacting both comfort and visual outcomes.

Interpretation:

Specialty soft contact lenses are a viable management option for aphakia, offering significant benefits in comfort and visual outcomes, particularly in pediatric patients, emphasizing the need for individualized fitting.

Limitations:

Handling difficulties in older adults limit the success of SCLs, which can lead to lower compliance and adverse outcomes.
Frequent follow-ups are necessary for pediatric patients due to rapid eye growth, which can affect lens fit and vision development.