Abstract
PurposeTo assess contrast sensitivity in clear and colored soft contact lenses under different lighting conditions.MethodsThis study was performed on 34 medical students. Visual acuity was measured using a tumbling E chart at a distance of 6 m, and contrast sensitivity was determined by Pelli Robson chart at a distance of 1 m. These tests were repeated in mesopic (3 lux) and glare (2000 lux) conditions. Then, a clear contact lens was applied to one eye and a colored contact lens was applied to the other. After 2 hr, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were measured for each individual. The results were compared with and without contact lenses under normal, mesopic, and glare conditions.ResultsThe mean refractive error was 0.44 0.20 diopters. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a decline in contrast sensitivity with colored and clear contact lenses as compared to no-lens condition (P 0.001). Additionally, lighting conditions had a significant impact on contrast sensitivity (P 0.001); contrast sensitivity was lower in mesopic and glare conditions than under normal lighting condition.ConclusionIn addition to the drop in contrast sensitivity under unusual lighting conditions (e.g., glare and mesopic), wearing soft contact lenses can further reduce contrast sensitivity in different lighting conditions. Therefore, people who wear contact lenses should be aware of this reduction in visual performance in conditions like driving at night or in the fog.
Highlights
Contact lenses are gaining increasing popularity nowadays
Since contrast sensitivity (CS) tests provide a better assessment of the quality of vision, the present study investigated CS under different lighting conditions in clear and colored contact lenses
The results proposed that these contact lenses reduce CS but do not affect visual acuity
Summary
Due to changing the color of the eyes, colored contact lenses are mainly used for cosmetic purposes, especially by women and young people.[2]. Some other studies have noted changes in CS occurring only in colored contact lenses.[2, 16, 18] Considering the inconsistencies in the findings of previous studies and the importance of evaluating visual quality with contact lenses in various light conditions (especially in young individuals who are the main users of contact lenses), this study was designed to investigate the changes in CS resulting from wearing clear and colored hydrogel contact lenses, as the most common types of contact lens fitted, under different light conditions
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