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Extended depth of focus lens improves low contrast acuity, comfort

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CHICAGO – Researchers found subtle improvements in low contrast visual acuity and comfort with an extended depth of focus lens in young adults, according to a study presented here at the American Academy of Optometry.

Daniel Tilia, MOptom, FBCLA, FAAO, told Primary Care Optometry News that he and fellow researchers at the Brien Holden Vision Institute sought to determine if a prototype extended depth of focus (EDOF) lens would help people with computer vision syndrome, a condition being seen more frequently.

Twenty-one subjects between 18 and 24 years old wore the EDOF and a 1-Day Acuvue Moist bilaterally for 1 week, and researchers assessed their objective visual performance, according to the study abstract. They evaluated high and low contrast visual acuity, stereopsis, phorias and accommodative facility.

“The results were inconclusive because of the way we did the study,” Tilia told PCON. “It wasn’t a direct comparison. So, we can’t say if there’s a benefit or not.”

According to the study abstract, researchers found small, but significant, differences for low contrast visual acuity at 6 m under mesopic conditions and at 40 cm. The EDOF lens also was found to be significantly more comfortable.

“We were hoping that the lenses wouldn’t disrupt how the eyes function, and that happened,” he said. “We were also hoping for less hyperopic blur at near, and that happened. And we were hoping that would translate to a subjective superiority. We were hoping that people would find our lenses better from a visual perspective. But people didn’t regard it as better than a standard lens, and that could be due to the benefits of this lens being relatively subtle.”

Tilia said further research in this area is being planned. – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO

Reference:

Tilia D, et al. Visual performance of prototype extended depth-of-focus contact lenses against single-vision contact lenses in nonpresbyopes. Presented at: American Academy of Optometry; Chicago; Oct. 10-14.

Disclosure: Tilia reported no relevant financial disclosures. The study was sponsored by the Brien Holden Vision Institute.