Evaluation of the Effects of Photochromic Contact Lens on Visual Quality and Pupillary Diameter: Cross-Sectional Study

ABS TRACT Objective: To evaluate the effects of photochromic con- tact lenses (CL) on contrast sensitivity, aberrations and pupillary diameter in indoor environments. Material and Methods: Contrast sensitivity of the participants was measured and their pupillography under scotopic, mesopic and photopic illumination and topography were taken. Transparent senofilcon A (Acuvue Oasys hydraLuxe) CL was inserted to one eye of the subjects and photochromic senofilcon A (Acuvue Oasys with transitions) CL was inserted to the other eye. Sub-sequently, contrast sensitivity of subjects was measured, pupillography and topography were taken again over the CL. Aberration values were obtained from the topography. In terms of occurred changes, the eye with photochromic CL was compared with the other eye. Results: Before CL insertion, there was no significant difference between the pho- tochromic side and the other side in terms of all parameters examined (for all; p>0.05). After CL insertion, there was no significant change in scotopic, mesopic and photopic pupil diameters on both the photochromic and transparent sides compared to the pre-CL condition (for all; p>0.05), high order aberrations increased (p<0.05), and contrast sensitivity at high frequencies (12 and 18 cpd) decreased (for both; p<0.05). When the photochromic side was compared with the transparent side after CL insertion, no significant difference was observed in terms of all parameters (for all; p>0.05). Conclusion: Using the photochromic CL in indoors does not lead to different results than the trans- parent CL in terms of visual quality and pupil diameters. Both lenses cause a decrease in contrast sensitivity at high frequencies.