A study using a new infrared imaging technique underscores the need for eye care professionals to fully correct astigmatic refractive errors of 0.75DC or more in soft contact lens wearers for optimal visual acuity (VA), regardless of their pupil size. Development of a novel dynamic pupil control system to evaluate the impact of uncorrected astigmatic error on visual performance (Read M, et al) is being presented at the 2022 American Academy of Optometry annual meeting this week.

Investigators from Eurolens Research at the University of Manchester and CooperVision employed a unique Pupil Control System (PUCS) to precisely specify and control pupil size of study participants during a VA assessment, then characterize the impact of uncorrected astigmatism. Sixty eyes requiring astigmatic correction from plano to -1.50DC were each evaluated at three pupil sizes (2.5 mm, 4 mm and 5.5 mm) using full sphero-cylindrical spectacle correction, full sphero-cylindrical correction with a custom toric soft contact lens, and best sphere correction using a spherical soft contact lens.

VA was reduced with increased pupil size for all three refractive correction methods, attributed to greater aberrations as pupils enlarged. When the cylindrical power was -0.75DC or greater, uncorrected astigmatism had a statistically and clinically significant negative impact on VA between the spherical contact lens group and both the toric contact lens and spectacle groups (p<0.001, F=4.5).

“Some eye care professionals continue to fit spherical contact lenses for people with lower yet significant amounts of astigmatism. This new work adds to a sizable body of evidence that indicates attempting to ‘mask’ astigmatism with single vision lenses is an outdated and detrimental practice,” said Gary Orsborn, OD, MS, FAAO, FBCLA, Global Head, Post-Market Clinical Studies for CooperVision and a paper co-author. “With multiple high performing toric soft contact lenses on the market, including widely prescribed options within the CooperVision MyDay^®, clariti^®, and Biofinity^® families, there is little reason to use spherical lenses with patients who have astigmatism of 0.75DC or greater.”

The Eurolens PUCS technology comprises a custom infrared imaging system with live image analysis software to monitor pupil size in real time. The system continuously adjusts the output of diffused LED lamps within an enclosure that surrounds the participant’s head to maintain a predetermined pupil size. This innovation is likely to be used in other research to evaluate complex optical designs for refractive correction, according to the paper authors.

Funded by CooperVision, this study joins multiple company-led and funded scientific papers and posters that will be presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting, which takes place from October 26-29 in San Diego, Calif.

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IRIS the Visual Group announces that Dr. Mark Langer, Optometrist is now co-owner of our location in Vernon, BC. The Vernon IRIS location #691 has been a longstanding success in the Okanagan for over 25 years.

Dr. Mark Langer, originally from Beaverlodge, a small farming community in Northern Alberta, comes from a large family with six siblings who are all health care practitioners. 

In 2011 while attending Optometry school at Pacific University in Oregon, Dr. Langer attended a presentation by IRIS founder, Dr. Francis Jean. He started practice with IRIS right after graduation.

The new IRIS partnership consists of the co-ownership of shares in a BC registered corporation that holds the assets of the Vernon location only and operates as IRIS Optometrists Opticians.  Dr. Langer will receive dividends based on the profit of this individual location only and participate in the appreciation of value of his shares as his practice grows. 

Click HERE for the full press release.