Visual Performance Following Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) With and Without Tinted Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses, by Lena H. Lee. O.D., Harue J. Marsden, O.D., M.S., and Timothy B. Edrington, O.D., M.S.

Title

Visual Performance Following Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) With and Without Tinted Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Authors

Lena H. Lee, O.D., Harue J. Marsden, O.D., M.S., and Timothy B. Edrington, O.D., M.S.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect on visual acuity and contrast sensitivity function on post-LASIK patients fitted with clear rigid gas permeable lenses (RGPs) and yellow tinted RGPs.

Hypothesis

Decreased visual acuity and contrast sensitivity may be related to uncorrected, residual refractive error and irregular corneal surface after LASIK, ocular complications related to LASIK or the changes in the shape of the natural cornea from a prolate to oblate form, or a combination of factors.  RGPs generally minimize the post-LASIK visual distortions, irregular astigmatism, and uncorrected refractive error and improve visual acuity.  Using yellow tinted RGPs to improve contrast sensitivity by decreasing symptoms of glare may be more subjective than objective in assessment, but still valuable as an option for patients who do perceive an improvement with their visual performance using tinted RGPs.

The working hypothesis of this study is that there is a difference in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity while using a yellow tinted RGP versus a clear RGP.  The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity while using either a yellow tinted RGP or a clear RGP.