Visual performance and comfort with the Rose K lens for keratoconus.

PURPOSE

The "Rose K Lens for Keratoconus" is a proprietary rigid contact lens design that has been reported and marketed as a lens that provides better visual acuity and comfort than other rigid contact lens designs for keratoconus.

METHODS

Twenty patients with keratoconus who were wearing rigid contact lenses were refitted into the Rose K lenses. Visual acuity measurements were taken with habitual lenses at the baseline visit and with the Rose K lenses at the completion of the study. Questionnaires were used to assess vision-specific quality of life, contact lens comfort, and self-reported assessment of vision.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant changes in high- or low-contrast visual acuity with the Rose K lenses. There was statistically significant improvement in self-reported assessment of vision and self-reported assessment of comfort in the eyes with more advanced keratoconus. At the conclusion of the study, 72% of patients preferred the Rose K lenses over their habitual lenses, and 87% reported that they would continue wearing the Rose K lenses.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in the visual acuity with the Rose K lenses compared with the patients' habitual lenses. Subjective assessment of vision and comfort indicate a statistical improvement for more advanced keratoconus with the Rose K lens. We could not rule out a placebo effect as a source of subjective improvement in vision and comfort. Nevertheless, the successful fit rate and patient preference demonstrate the usefulness of the Rose K lens in clinical practice.