Keratoconus and Visual Performance with Different Contact Lenses

PURPOSE: To analyze the visual performance in contact lens wearers with keratoconus. METHODS: A retrospective study including contact lens (CL) wearers was performed. The current best-corrected visual acuity with contact lens (BCVA-CL) and with spectacles (BCVA-S) correction, contrast sensitivity (CS) (by Metrovision-MonPack3(®)), analysis of light scattering in the retina and vision break-up time (HD Analyzer(®)), and corneal tomography (Oculus Pentacam(®) HR) were evaluated. RESULTS: This study included 96 eyes of 59 patients with Keratoconus. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGPCL), hybrid contact lenses (HCL), and silicone hydrogel/hydrogel contact lenses (HGCL) were fitted in 67, 17, and 12 eyes, respectively. Dynamic objective scatter index (OSI) (p = 0.024), minimum OSI (p = 0.037) and maximum OSI (p = 0.040) were significantly better with RGPCL and worse with HGCL. Mean CS in photopic conditions was significantly worse with HGCL and better with HCL (p = 0.006), without differences in mesopic conditions (p = 0.121). RGPCL wearers showed a higher mean K (p = 0.020), and a lower corneal thickness at the thinnest point (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Visual quality varied significantly with different types of CL. Although RGPCL was fitted in patients with worse Pentacam tomographic parameters, RGPCL was associated with a better dynamic visual quality.