Optical Quality and Vision with Iris-Coloring Soft Contact Lenses

Abstract

To study the influence of iris-coloring soft contact lenses, designed for changing apparent iris color, on optical quality and vision. Eighty subjects were included in this study. All participants were classified as emmetropic, with monocular best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. For 40 subjects, we measured the optical quality (aberrations, the Strehl ratio, and the objective scattering index) and visual performance before and after wearing the cosmetic soft contact lenses. We also measured the optical quality and visual performance for the other 40 subjects but with a different kind of lens (fantasy soft contact lenses). Iris-coloring soft contact lenses significantly increased coma-like and total higher-order aberrations and objective scattering index (p < 0.05). We also found a significant deterioration in the Strehl ratio. The contrast sensitivity function significantly decreased only after wearing the fantasy soft contact lenses (p = 0.047). Iris-coloring soft contact lenses deteriorate the optical quality and worsen the contrast sensitivity function. Iris-coloring soft contact lens wearers should be informed about the effects on optical quality and visual function.