Subjective impressions with myopia control contact lenses versus single vision lenses: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To gain insight into patients' visual experiences and satisfaction when using different forms of myopia control lenses.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for articles assessing subjective visual quality with myopia control lenses compared with single-vision lenses (SVLs) up to July 10, 2023. Eight-hundred-and-three articles were retrieved, reviewed and any questionnaire items on subjective impressions of lens wear were meta-analysed. Subgroup analyses were based on the magnitude of defocus (add power) of multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCLs) and age groups. A random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis, and I² statistic used to assess the statistical heterogeneity.

Results: Nineteen articles fit the criteria, but only six articles involving MFSCLs had relevant data. MFSCLs were associated with lower subjective ratings of vision at different distances compared to SVLs (p < 0.001), but the differences were less than one unit. MFSCLs also yielded lower ratings when moving or walking and/or climbing stairs at -0.38 (-0.69 to -0.07, p = 0.02; I² = 85 %, p < 0.001) and for subjective comfort (difference of -0.23, -0.41 to -0.05, p = 0.01; I² = 63 %, p < 0.001). Subjective ratings for playing sports were not different between groups. Experience with MFSCLs was rated lower by young adults compared to children for all variables. In both children and young adults, ratings were lower with higher add compared to lower add MFSCLs.

Conclusion: Although subjective ratings for vision and comfort were lower with MFSCLs compared to SVLs, the difference was mostly less than one unit. Importantly, young adults rated their visual experience lower compared to children.