Abstract
Purpose: :
The purpose of this study is to see if there is a statistically significant difference between retinal nerve fiber layer measurements and q value with and without contact lenses. We compared patient with increasing refractive error, and patients with astigmatism
Methods: :
After obtaining IRB approval and consent, patients in the Loyola eye clinic had their RNFL measured with and without contact lenses using the Spectralis OCT. The patient's refractive error, axis of astigmatism, RNFL, and Q value were recorded. A paired t test was used comparing the average RNFL and Q value with and without contact lenses. For patients with astigmatism, an unpaired t-test was used to compare the change in RNFL with and without contacts, both in the axis of their astigmatism and 90 degrees away from their axis of astigmatism
Results: :
There was no overall difference in RNFL or Q value with and without CL. The mean difference in axis of RNFL was 4.621. 90 degrees away the mean difference in RNFL with vs without contacts was 7.138. This was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: :
When measuring RNFL in contact lens wearers, it is acceptable to keep their contact lenses, as our study has shown that there is no difference in quality or RNFL measurements with or without contact lenses. Our study also demonstrated no statistically significant difference in RNFL wean measuring with and without contact lenses, in the axis of astigmatism compared to 90 degrees away.
Keywords: optic nerve • contact lens • imaging/image analysis: clinical