ABSTRACT
Background: As contact lens ages, it undergoes changes due to changes in the materials properties, debris sticking to the surface of the lens, and scratches on the surface from routine maintenance. These changes can lead to scattering of incident light and affect the visual performance of the user. Purpose: This research investigates the effect of a six weeks wear ofsoft contact lens on visual performance under different lightening conditions. Methods: Atotal of 30 adults (18-30 years) around Ugbowo, Benin city, was recruited, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity was assessed using the Snellen chart and Pelli Robson contrast sensitivity chart respectively. This was done in photopic, mesopic and glare conditions, at baseline, after 3weeks and after 6weeks of contact lens usage. Data analysis: The visual parameters was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS version 25. Inferential statistics was used to test the hypotheses. Result: There was no significant difference in VAand CSFwithSoft Contact Lens & Spectacle in Mesopic and photopic condition (p>0.05) in both eyes, but asignificant difference was observed in the VA of the left eye (p=0.021) in photopic condition. Overtime in Mesopic condition Soft CL had a significant effect on VA (OD: p=0.002, OS: p=0.008) and CSF (OD: p=0.002, OS: p=0.005), there was no significant effect in photopiccondition in VA and CSF (p>0.05). Glare in Mesopic condition had a significant effect onVA(OD: p=0.001, OS: p=0.033) and CSF (OD: p=0.002, OS: p=0.008) over a period of 6weeks, however no significant effect was observed in the VA and CSF in photopic condition (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that soft contact lenses perform similarly to spectaclesinmesopic and in photopic condition, with certain deviations. Prolonged wear over a durationof 6weeks under mesopic conditions led to a significant reduction in contrast sensitivity andvisual acuity, particularly in the presence of glare. Keywords: contact lens, contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, glare,
