Gabor patches training programme for neuroadaptation in multifocal contact lenses wearers.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of using a training programme (OPTIcTRAIN) using Gabor patches on visual performance during the fitting of multifocal contact lenses (CL) in neophyte wearers.

Methods: A randomized longitudinal pilot study was conducted at the Optometry Clinic of Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). Participants were fitted with Comfilcon A multifocal CL and randomly assigned to either a Gabor group (receiving daily training) or a control group. Measurements were taken at baseline (V0), CL fitting day (V1) and after 10 (V2) and 20 days (V3) of CL wear, assessing visual acuity (VA) under different conditions (photopic and mesopic, high (HC) and low contrast (LC)) at far, intermediate and near distances, contrast sensitivity, and subjective measures using visual analogue scale and global rate changing scale (GRCS).

Results: Twelve subjects (10 females, 2 males; mean age: 51.41 ± 5.41 years) were included. After 20 days, the Gabor group showed significantly higher HCVA (p = 0.016) and LCVA (p = 0.034) under photopic conditions at intermediate distances (-0.03 ± 0.05, 0.11 ± 0.09, respectively) compared to the control group (0.08 ± 0.07, 0.26 ± 0.10, respectively). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between groups in VA under mesopic conditions. Contrast sensitivity did not significantly differ between groups at any visit. However, after 20 days, the Gabor group's contrast sensitivity (6 cpg) increased to values similar to baseline (V0: 6.33 ± 0.81 vs V1: 5.17 ± 0.75; p = 0.038; V1 vs V3: 6.00 ± 0.89, p = 0.025), whereas the control group experienced a significant decrease (V0: 6.50 ± 0.54 vs V1: 5.83 ± 0.75; p = 0.046). After 20 days, the Gabor group showed a significant improvement in halo perception (p = 0.043) on the GRCS (44.00 ± 4.04) compared to the control group (26.67 ± 7.47).

Conclusions: A visual training program using Gabor patches may enhance high and low-contrast VA at intermediate distances under photopic conditions, improve contrast sensitivity for medium spatial frequencies, and enhance subjective perception of halos during initial adaptation to multifocal CL in presbyopic wearers.