Purpose: To investigate changes in fluid reservoir turbidity parameters over time and its influence on visual performance in eyes with ocular surface disorders (OSD) wearing scleral contact lenses (SL).
Methods: Thirteen eyes with OSD were assessed for corrected distance visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS) and fluid reservoir turbidity using anterior segment optical coherence tomography at baseline, after 5 min and 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h of SL wear on day 1 and after 1 month.
Results: A significant reduction in CS was noted at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h of SL wear compared to 5 min (p < 0.001) and a similar trend was noted after 1 month (p < 0.001). The average number of particles on day 1 showed a significant increase over 4 h of SL wear (p < 0.001), with a same trend noted at 1 month (p = 0.001). However, the percentage of particles decreased from 88% ± 4% to 75% ± 12% (p = 0.004) after 1 month of SL wear. Average particle size showed a significant increase at all time points over 4 h compared with 5 min of SL wear (p < 0.003) and after 1 month (p < 0.001). The percentage of average particle size decreased from 73% ± 9% to 67% ± 8% after 1 month of lens wear (p = 0.003). The mean percentage turbid area increased from 0.6% ± 0.5% to 24% ± 16% over 4 h of lens wear on day 1 (p < 0.006) and from 0.7% ± 0.5% to 11% ± 8% at 1 month (p = 0.001). The mean difference in percentage turbid area at the first and follow-up visits decreased from 96% ± 3% to 89% ± 9% (p = 0.01).
Conclusions: A gradual increase in fluid reservoir turbidity parameters was noted with the reduction in CS; however, all these parameters improved after 1 month of SL wear.
Keywords: fluid reservoir thickness; fluid reservoir turbidity; ocular surface disorder; scleral lens.
© 2025 The Author(s) Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics © 2025 The College of Optometrists.