Posters

Grey filter contact lens as therapeutic option for acquired reduced binocular visual performance

Poster Details

First Author: I.van der Meulen THE NETHERLANDS

Co Author(s):    H. van Vliet   H. Jellema   C. Nieuwendaal   R. Lapid-Gortzak   F. Riemslag        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

In unilateral reduced visual performance or intractable diplopia, binocular performance often is less than the best eye's performance, leading to complaints of binocular visual functioning. Delaying the response between the eyes can inhibit the response of the second eye completely. A grey filter in front of the affected eye introduces a short delay of the second stimulus. This inhibits the response of the affected eye and potentially improves binocular visual quality to the performance of the best eye, without affecting peripheral vision.The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of filter contact lenses on binocular complaints in daily life.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology and Oculenti Contact Lenses, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the The Netherlands.

Methods:

Nineteen patients were included in the study. The patient was asked to look with both eyes at the visual acuity chart with their own correction. The chart was set one or two lines larger than the binocular visual acuity. Six different grey filters with various transmissions were presented in random order in front of the affected eye. Subjectively, patients chose the most comfortable filter when viewing binocularly. Then a filter contact lens with the chosen filter was fitted according to the normal practice of contact lens fitting.

Results:

Ten men and 9 women were included. One patient was lost to follow up. Mean age was 51 years (± 10, range 30-68 years). Twelve patients (67%) reported good results when wearing the filter contact lens. Seven of these patients continue to wear the filter contact lens. Five patients could discontinue the wear of the filter contact lens because their binocular visual complaints disappeared during contact lens wear. Two patients (10%) were not able to handle the contact lens and discontinued contact lens wear. Four patients (13%) stopped because the filter contact lens did not resolve their visual problems.

Conclusions:

The grey filter contact lens is a good treatment option for patients with binocular visual complaints due to a monocular reduction in visual quality. In our study 67% of patients experienced a reduction of binocular complaints in daily life when wearing the grey filter contact lens.

Financial Disclosure:

None