Influence of cosmetically tinted soft contact lenses on higher-order wavefront aberrations and visual performance

Abstract

Cosmetically tinted contact lenses increase ocular higher-order aberrations and worsen contrast sensitivity under both photopic and mesopic conditions. Increases in higher-order aberrations are responsible for decreased contrast sensitivity under the photopic condition. Tinted contact lens wearers should be sufficiently informed about the possible reduction in optical quality of the eye and quality of vision.

Overview of Objective Methods for Assessing Dynamic Changes in Optical Quality

“…Asymmetrical changes in optics may induce increases in comalike aberrations. 105 Poorly fitting tinted contact lenses showed significantly larger HOAs compared with well-fitting tinted lenses, although wavefront measurements were performed in a static fashion and not in a dynamic fashion. 106 A recent study reported that decorative, tinted contact lenses significantly increased ocular HOAs and decreased the contrast sensitivity with a decrease in the diameter of the pigment-free optical zone.…”

Spherical aberration and higher order aberrations with Balafilcon A (PureVision) and Comfilcon A (Biofinity)

“…There were also no differences in subjective appreciation or clinical performance between lens designs or lens powers. Other studies found various effects on HOA with differing spherical soft contact lens brands [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], which presumably drove the development of aspheric or 'aberration-free' lenses, along with the reports of the possible benefits of aspheric lenses [30][31][32][33]. This study found no changes in spherical aberration, but it did find changes in other aberrations.…”

Optical Quality and Vision with Iris-Coloring Soft Contact Lenses

“…Our data agree with those of Hiraoka et al, 10 who Optical quality parameters (mean T SD) before and after wearing the iris-coloring soft contact lenses also found this increase, even in spherical-like aberrations. 10 Other publications also found an increase in ocular aberrations, but with the use of clear soft contact lenses. 10,20Y23 This increase could be caused by influences of contact lens properties themselves (different hydration of the lens in its clear vs. tinted area, structural deformations at the junction between the two zones), 10,11,24 decentering of the lens with blinking (0.5 to 1 mm on a blink), 10 and tear film instability as a consequence of the use of contact lenses.…”

“…10 Other publications also found an increase in ocular aberrations, but with the use of clear soft contact lenses. 10,20Y23 This increase could be caused by influences of contact lens properties themselves (different hydration of the lens in its clear vs. tinted area, structural deformations at the junction between the two zones), 10,11,24 decentering of the lens with blinking (0.5 to 1 mm on a blink), 10 and tear film instability as a consequence of the use of contact lenses. 10,24Y26 To explain our results, we have applied the schematic model of Díaz 27 to reproduce the retinal optical quality of a middleaged emmetropic subject from our population, 28 and we furthermore evaluated paraxially the shift in the position of the pupil of entry with the contact lens according to the calculation method developed by Díaz.…”

“…4 Also, certain specific aspects related to the use of iris-coloring soft contact lenses should be taken into account, such as visual field constrictions, 5 alteration of color vision, 6 Pulfrich phenomenon, 7 night vision disturbances and halos, 8 loss of contrast sensitivity, 3,5,7Y10 decreased visual acuity, 9 and increases in higher-order aberrations. 10 However, other authors have found no such alterations in the visual function with the use of these lenses, except in the case of corneal edema after several hours of use. 5 Also, the development of irregular astigmatism induced by iriscoloring soft contact lenses has been reported in association with distortions of the corneal surface, 11,12 corresponding to the junction between the clear pupil zone and the tinted annular zone of the contact lens.…”