Factors affecting light scatter in contact lens wearers.
We measured forward light scatter at 3.5, 10, and 28 degrees using a portable stray light meter. Subjects included 66 normal subjects (age range 19 to 79 years), 17 established hydrophilic contact lens wearers, and 15 rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens wearers. Contact lens deposits were measured using a modified Rudko procedure and a Leitz/Wild Makroscope M240. Corneal health was assessed using slitlamp biomicroscopy. Results showed a significant increase in light scatter with age, particularly after the age of 40 years. Stray light scores were significantly lower in pigmented non-Caucasian subjects, particularly at larger angles. The stray light scores were significantly greater in contact lens wearers than in age-matched normals, but were not found to correlate with the amount of lens deposits. Scores from hydrophilic lens wearers after removal of their lenses were significantly higher than results from RGP wearers after removal of their lenses and from age-matched normals. This suggests the presence of subclinical corneal edema in some of these subjects.
Clinical Vision Research Unit, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.
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Elliott
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Mitchell
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Whitaker
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003261:Contact Lenses; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005127:Eye Color; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008875:Middle Aged; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*