Connecting Contact Lenses and Digital Technology

Connecting Contact Lenses and Digital Technology

This study seeks to address whether or not different types of daily disposable soft contact lenses may be a beneficial option for patients complaining of eye strain and visual discomfort while using digital devices.

This was a prospective, single site, randomized, double-masked, crossover pilot study. Subjects were randomized to begin with either multifocal or single vision distance contact lenses. The lenses used in this study were the 1-Day Acuvue (AV) Moist spherical single-vision soft contact lenses (SSCL) in the 8.5 base curve and the 1-Day AV Moist Multifocal (MFSCL) in the low ADD (etafilcon A, 58% water content). The preferred viewing distance on digital devices for a similar age group to our study was 63 cm which would require a near ADD of +1.59D. A low addition (ADD) yielding up to +1.25D was selected to provide an intermediate near addition without compromising distance vision as much as would be expected with higher add powers. The multifocal lens utilizes an aspheric center-near design. Subjects wore the lenses on a daily wear, daily disposable schedule. Following one week (± 2 days) of lens wear, subjects were evaluated and the alternate lenses dispensed. Adverse events were collected and assessed at each study visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 to 35 years of age
2. Spectacle prescription of -0.75 to -6.00 D sphere with no more than 0.75 diopters of refractive cylinder
3. Current single-vision soft contact lens wearer
4. Monocular acuity of 20/25 or better in each eye (Snellen)
5. Self-reported minimum of 6 hours a day on digital devices
6. Self-reported complaint of eyestrain on digital devices
7. No ocular pathology and/or history of eye surgery
8. No history of strabismus or strabismus surgery
9. No gas permeable lens wear for at least 3 months
10. Subjects may not be optometrists, opticians or optometry students

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Corneal staining, blepharitis and/or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) worse than Grade 2 using the Efron Grading Scale
2. Negative Relative Accommodation (NRA) less than +1.50 D
3. Exophoria at near > 6 prism diopters10
4. Vertical phoria > 1 prism diopter
5. Presence of tropia
6. Response of 3 or higher on question 2b of the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire- 8 (CLDEQ-8)
7. Unacceptable contact lens fit (i.e. substantially decentered, excessive movement)