The Effect of Ocular Surface Regularity on Contrast Sensitivity and Straylight in Dry Eye.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between visual function and ocular surface regularity in dry eye.

METHODS

We enrolled 52 eyes of 52 dry eye patients (34 dry eyes with superficial punctate keratopathy [SPK] in the central corneal region [central SPK] and 18 dry eyes without central SPK) and 20 eyes of 20 normal control subjects. All eyes had a best-corrected distance visual acuity better than 20/20. We measured two indices of contrast sensitivity function under photopic conditions: contrast sensitivity and letter contrast sensitivity. The area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) was calculated from the obtained contrast sensitivity data. Straylight was quantified using a straylight meter.

RESULTS

Dry eyes with central SPK had significantly decreased contrast sensitivity function, including AULCSF and letter contrast sensitivity than those without central SPK and normal eyes (P < 0.05 for each). While the straylight values in both dry eye groups did not differ, straylight values were greater than those in normal eyes (P < 0.05 for both). In dry eye, the AULCSF and letter contrast sensitivity negatively correlated with the central SPK score (R = -0.485, P < 0.001, and R = -0.541, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In dry eye, reduced contrast sensitivity in part results from central SPK overlying the optical zone and the increased straylight results from tear film instability rather than central SPK.