Ocular Straylight with Different Multifocal Contact Lenses

PURPOSE: Multifocal contact lenses have been growing in popularity as a modality to correct presbyopic eyes, although visual side effects such as disability glare have been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of multifocal contact lenses on disability glare by means of ocular straylight.

METHODS: A prospective randomized, comparative study was performed that included 16 subjects free of ocular pathology. Straylight was measured using a commercial straylight meter with the natural and dilated pupil. Participants were fitted with Proclear Multifocal (Distance/Near), ACUVUE Oasys for Presbyopia, and Air Optix Aqua Multifocal randomized to the left or right eye. Straylight measurements were repeated with the contact lens in situ after the pupil dilation. Results obtained with the dilated pupil without contact lens acted as a control.

RESULTS: Diameter of the natural and dilated pupil was 2.87 ± 0.40 mm and 7.45 ± 0.86 mm, respectively (P < .001). After pupil dilation, straylight increased from 0.92 ± 0.13 log(s) to 1.04 ± 0.11 log(s) (P < .001). Of the four studied lenses, a significant difference was only found between Air Optix and the control group (P = .006). The latter showed also slightly increased light scatter.

CONCLUSIONS: A difference in measured straylight was found between the studied multifocal lenses. The observed variability and the straylight-pupil size dependency should be taken into account to avoid elevated straylight in multifocal contact lens wearers. The reason for the observed differences in straylight must be the subject of future studies.