Effect of methods of myopia correction on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and depth of focus.
OBJECTIVE
To psychophysically measure spherical and irregular aberrations in patients with various types of myopia correction.


METHODS
Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Three groups of patients with low myopia correction (spectacles, soft contact lens, and Intacs) and 4 groups with high myopia correction (spectacles, rigid contact lens, Artisan claw lens, and laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK]) had through-focus contrast sensitivity measurements to establish the myopic shift and depth of focus. From these 2 parameters, spherical and irregular aberrations were determined using theoretical eye models and geometric optics. Visual acuity, stray light, and predictability were also studied.


RESULTS
There were no differences in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) or best corrected contrast sensitivity between the low myopia groups. The Intacs group had a significantly larger depth of focus (P<.05). The results in the soft contact lens group were comparable to those in a human eye model with an average amount of spherical and irregular aberrations. The LASIK group had worse uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected contrast sensitivity than the spectacles, rigid contact lens, and Artisan claw lens groups (P<.05) due to the amount of spherical and irregular aberrations present after LASIK. The low and high myopia spectacles groups had average amounts of spherical and irregular aberrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither surgical techniques nor contact lenses resulted in BCVA or best corrected contrast sensitivity that surpassed the values measured in the best corrected spectacles groups. The Artisan claw lens performed better than LASIK in UCVA, predictability, and best corrected contrast sensitivity.
Nio
Ying Khay
YK
Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Groningen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Jansonius
Nomdo M
NM
Wijdh
Robert H J
RH
Beekhuis
W Houdijn
WH
Worst
Jan G F
JG
Norrby
Sverker
S
Kooijman
Aart C
AC
D000328:Adult; D003261:Contact Lenses; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005139:Eyeglasses; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*