Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the influence of colored (cosmetically tinted) soft contact lenses on higher–order wavefront aberrations and visual performance.
Methods: :
Subjects were forty–two eyes of 21 volunteers. Mean age was 24.3 ± 3.7 years (range 22 to 36). We examined 100% contrast visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, mesopic contrast sensitivity, and higher–order wavefront aberrations before and after wearing the colored soft contact lenses (1·DAY ACUVUE®COLOURSTM, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.). Contrast sensitivity was determined at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (c/d) with the Vector Vision CSV–1000, and the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) was calculated. Mesopic contrast sensitivity with and without glare was assessed using the Mesotest II (Oculus, Germany), and the total number of optotypes that the subject could correctly recognize was recorded. Third to sixth ocular higher–order aberrations were measured for 4– and 6–mm pupils using the Hartmann–Shack wavefront analyzer (Topcon KR–9000PW). Pupil diameter was also evaluated.
Results: :
After wearing the contact lenses, AULCSF and mesopic contrast sensitivity score significantly decreased (p<0.0001, paired t–test), although there was no significant changes in 100% contrast visual acuity. Coma– and spherical–like aberrations significantly increased for both 4– and 6–mm pupils after wearing lenses. Furthermore, significant negative correlation between AULCSF and coma–like aberration for 4–mm pupil was observed (r=–0.363, p=0.0177, Pearson). But, there were no correlations between pupil diameter and other parameters.
Conclusions: :
Colored contact lenses increased ocular higher–order aberrations and worsened mesopic visual function. Moreover, contrast sensitivity in photopic condition deteriorated in parallel with increases in coma–like aberration. Those who wear colored contact lenses should be sufficiently informed about the possible influences of the lens on visual function.
Keywords: contact lens • contrast sensitivity • optical properties