Comparison of Contact Lens Corrected Quality of Vision and Life of Keratoconus and Myopic Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To compare and analyze changes in vision quality, subjective symptoms, and psycho-social satisfactionin keratoconus and myopic patients following the wearing of contact lenses. Methods: This study enrolled 25 keratoconus and 25 myopic patients with corrected vision over 0.8 accordingto the Snellen chart due to treatment with contact lenses. Patients were surveyed prior to the wearing ofcontact lenses, and again after three months of contact lens usage with a questionnaire about quality of visionand life. The changes in visual function, visual symptoms, and psycho-social well-being before and aftercontact lens usage were analyzed. Results: The keratoconus patients’ overall degree of satisfaction was higher than the overall degree of satisfactionof myopic patients, and the motivation for contact lens usage and purpose of contact lens treatmentwere different in the two groups. Keratoconus patients experienced greater changes in satisfaction, particularlyin satisfaction during night activities, short-distance work, and the reading of fine print. Furthermore,they experienced fewer dry eye symptoms but greater foreign body sensations than patients with myopiafollowing treatment with contact lenses. No statistically significant differences in social role functions existedbetween the two groups. Keratoconus patients had a lower expectation of visual acuity recovery beforetreatment with contact lenses (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.049) compared to myopic patients, and moreanxiety about vision loss following treatment (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = 0.018) compared to their levelof anxiety about vision loss before treatment with contact lenses. Conclusions: Although the same treatment was applied, keratoconus and myopic patients experienced differenttypes of discomfort and areas of improvement in contact lens corrected vision. Therefore, not only correctedvision, but also subsequent improvement and discomfort outcomes should be considered by patientswhen choosing contact lens treatment. For patients with mild keratoconus, contact lens treatment may bean efficacious first treatment modality.