Soft toric contact lens wear improves digital performance and vision—A randomised clinical trial

Cecilia Chao, Kelsea Skidmore, Erin S. Tomiyama, James S. Wolffsohn, Kathryn Richdale

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To compare objective and subjective digital near visual performance and comfort in low to moderate astigmatic participants fitted with toric versus spherical equivalent silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lenses. Methods: This was a double-masked, randomised, crossover study. Participants aged 18 to 39 years with astigmatism of −0.75 to −1.50 D were recruited and fitted with toric and spherical contact lenses, in random order. Outcomes were measured at baseline and after 1 week of wear with each contact lens type after the follow-up visits. High- and low-contrast near logMAR visual acuity, automated visual acuity, zoom (%), contrast (%), reading distance (cm), critical print size (logMAR) and reading speed were assessed. Participants also completed the validated Near Activity Visual Questionnaire (NAVQ) and Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire 8 (CLDEQ-8) for each correction type. Results: Twenty-three participants completed the study (74% female, average age 24.4 ± 4.2 years). When participants wore toric contact lenses, near high- and low-contrast visual acuity and automated visual acuity improved by 3–4 letters (all p < 0.03) and participants were able to read faster on an iPad (p = 0.02). Participants were also able to read with 8% less contrast on the iPad with toric lenses (p = 0.01). Participants reported better subjective vision on the overall NAVQ (p = 0.001) and better comfort on the CLDEQ-8 (p = 0.02) with toric lenses. Fewer participants reported difficulty with maintaining focus at near, reading small print, reading labels/instructions, reading the computer display/keyboard and reading post/mail with toric correction. Conclusions: Toric contact lenses improve comfort, subjective and objective visual performance with digital devices and other near tasks compared with the spherical equivalent correction in participants with low to moderate astigmatism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-34
JournalOphthalmic and Physiological Optics
Volume43
Issue number1
Early online date28 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023

Bibliographical note

© 2022 College of Optometrists. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Chao C, Skidmore K, Tomiyama ES, Wolffsohn JS, Richdale K. Soft toric contact lens wear improves digital performance and vision-A randomised clinical trial. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2022 Sep 28., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.13053. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.

Keywords

  • digital performance
  • silicone hydrogel
  • toric contact lenses
  • visual comfort
  • visual performance

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