Investigation of the influencing factors on subjective evaluation in initial and end-of-day silicone hydrogel contact lens wear

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing subjective ratings of comfort, vision quality, dryness, and satisfaction at both initial and end-of-day wear among young Asian wearers of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. METHODS: Participants aged 20 to 24 years who were satisfied wearers of silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lenses were recruited. Each participant attended two scheduled visits. During the first visit (Day 1), ocular health, refractive error, visual acuity, first and average non-invasive tear break-up time (F-NITBUT and A-NITBUT), and subjective ratings were measured without lenses and 15 min after wearing Somofilcon A daily disposable lenses. On the second visit (Day 7), follow-up data were collected after seven consecutive days of lens wear. RESULTS: A total of 59 healthy participants (mean age: 20.86 ± 1.29 years) participated in this study. Visual acuity demonstrated a significant negative correlation with comfort, vision quality, and satisfaction after 15 min of Somofilcon A lens wear on Day 1 and a positive correlation with dryness. Additionally, A-NITBUT was significantly positively correlated with vision quality. On Day 7, visual acuity was negatively correlated with overall vision quality after 8 h of wear. However, residual refraction and F-NITBUT showed no significant correlation with comfort, vision quality, dryness, or satisfaction after 15 min of wear on Day 1-8 h on Day 7. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that higher visual acuity at initial lens wear was strongly associated with improved subjective comfort, vision quality, and overall satisfaction, as well as reduced dryness. Furthermore, a longer average tear break-up time was associated with improved vision quality. For prolonged lens use, visual acuity was only associated with vision quality. Visual acuity plays a significant role in subjective ratings at the initial lens wear, while tear break-up time may serve as a predictor for subjective vision quality.