SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CONTRAST SENSITIVITY EFFECTS ACROSS VARIED DEGREES OF MYOPIA AND ASTIGMATISM

ABSTRACT

SALT Journal of Scientific Research in Healthcare, Volume 4, Issue 2, Page 07-12, Published on 04^th Oct 2024, https://doi.org/10.56735/saltjsrh.ms2404020712

Background:  Refractive defects that greatly affect visual function and quality of life are myopia and astigmatism, which are common. The ability of the eye to detect minute variations in contrast is measured by contrast sensitivity, as opposed to visual acuity, which gauges the eye’s capacity to detect tiny details. For example, it is essential for driving, reading, and navigating in low light. To maximise visual correction and management techniques, one must comprehend how varying degrees of myopia and astigmatism impact contrast sensitivity. Even though prior studies have looked at contrast sensitivity in people who have either myopia or astigmatism independently, very few have looked at how it varies across different levels of refractive error, especially in people who have both myopia and astigmatism together.

Method: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating contrast sensitivity in myopic patients. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched. Search terms included variations of “contrast sensitivity”, “myopia”, “astigmatism”, “contact lenses”, and related synonyms.

Result: We found that contrast sensitivity varied with myopic astigmatism. The results showed that as astigmatism increased in severity, contrast sensitivity decreased noticeably. Higher myopic astigmatism levels were associated with noticeably decreased contrast sensitivity ratings, especially at higher spatial frequencies. These findings highlight how astigmatism affects visual function and highlight the requirement for customised vision correction techniques for people with myopic astigmatism.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our research shows a steady decrease in contrast sensitivity as myopic astigmatism severity increases. These results emphasise how astigmatism significantly affects visual function. Customised methods of vision correction are necessary to meet the unique requirements of people with myopic astigmatism in order to maximise their quality of life and visual results. Creating therapies to increase contrast sensitivity in this population should be the main goal of future studies.

Keywords: contrast sensitivity, high myopia astigmatism, literature synthesis, systematic review, visual function, vision correction, spectacle, contact lens, clinical study, binocular contrast sensitivity, astigmatic defocus, quick contrast sensitivity function test.