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New Contact Lenses Comfortable for Those with Irregular Astigmatism: Presented at AAO

By Deanna M Green, PhD

ANAHEIM, CA -- November 24, 2003 -- Soft K Contact Lenses correct vision acuity comfortably in most patients with irregular astigmatism who were intolerable to rigid contact lenses, according to findings presented here November 17^th at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Irregular astigmatism can result from corneal ectasia, ocular trauma or corneal surgery, and can lead to loss of best-corrected visual acuity and poor vision quality.

Glasses and contact lenses can be used to correct irregular astigmatism; however, these aids are only partially useful for vision rehabilitation, and current contact lens options can be uncomfortable. The ideal lens would be comfortable, would provide optimal vision correction, and would promote corneal health.

Irina S Barequet, MD, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel, and colleagues evaluated the use of Soft K contact lenses in patients with irregular astigmatism who were unable to wear rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses.

The prospective, non-comparative study included 36 patients (mean age 32) with irregular astigmatism who discontinued previous contact-lens wear due to intolerability. Soft K contact lenses (Soflex Contact Lens Industries Ltd., Israel) were fit into a total of 57 eyes. Visual acuity and contact-lens tolerability were assessed for up to 1 year of use.

Better visual acuity was achieved with Soft K lenses over glasses in 81% of eyes. Furthermore, visual acuity was the same or better in 58% of eyes that had previously worn other contact lenses. The mean visual acuity obtained with the Soft K lens was 0.64 (range 0.1 to 1.0).

Soft K lens wear was continued by patients comprising 70% of the eyes studied, with a mean follow up of 11.5 months. The most common reason for discontinuation was unsatisfactory visual acuity. Notably, 9 patients experienced satisfactory wear for 1 year or more. All of these patients achieved 20/40 visual acuity or better in at least 1 eye.

Overall, a favourable patient assessment was reported for vision quality of life, contact-lens comfort, moisture perception, and willingness to continue use of the Soft K lens.

Dr. Barequet concluded, "The Soft K contact lens provided significant vision correction and comfortable wear in patients with irregular astigmatism." He furthermore recommended, "The Soft K lens can serve as a viable option in patients intolerable to rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, and may obviate corneal surgery in these patients."


[Study Title: A New Soft Contact Lens to Correct Irregular Astigmatism. Abstract PO230]

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