Vivity lenses implant real world contrast sensitivity results
Posted , 11 users are following.
I thought of giving something back to this small community as I received so much from it. I’m done with both eyes now, so for me is game-over, there’s nothing I can change now but I hope the information here will help others.
I had my first eye done on November 3, 2021, about 7 weeks ago now and my right eye (dominant one) on November 22, 2021, a month ago.
Left eye was targeted for -0.5D mini-monovision and the right eye for plano.
I took a contrast sensitivity test on VCS com on November 14 and another one yesterday, December 22.
Here are some details about the tests.
First test:
The left eye was two weeks after the surgery and the right eye was before its surgery.
To be able to test my right eye I had to wear reading glasses otherwise I would not have been able to properly see the screen.
Second test:
I took the test 7 weeks after the first surgery and 4 weeks after the second surgery, so my right eye had double the time to recover than my left eye, when I took the test.
Results summary
First test:
Left eye total score; 38/45 (84%)
Right eye total score: 43/45 (96%)
Second test:
Left eye total score: 42/45 (93%)
Right eye total score: 40/45 (89%)
This two things jump right at me:
- the left eye improved greatly from week 3 to week 8
- the right eye was better than the left eye at the time of testing (89% vs 84%).
What I learned from this is that healing time matters a lot.
There you have it, you got the numbers. Based on what I actually see now, I can’t say I notice the contrast loss (before and after), if there is any.
The only thing that bothers me is Christmas lights at night, Not all of them, just the ones more than let’s say, 15-20m away and especially the blue ones.
God, I hate those now, they actually almost make me dizzy.
Other than that, during the day I’m 100% happy with my vision (distance, intermediate and near).
Here are the screenshots for my contrast sensitivity tests results:
0 likes, 54 replies
Sue.An2 NeluG
Edited
is it free to get a contrast sensitivity test? I am now curious.
NeluG Sue.An2
Edited
Only the first test is free, per account.
This is from their website:
"...in Canada we ask for a contribution of CAD $13.00 for detailed results and additional tests, though packages of 3, 5, and unlimited test credits are available at reduced rates."
john20510 NeluG
Edited
Hypotheicaly If you were to take a 50 year old with totally normal healthy eyes and no cataracts and place vivity lens in his eyes , In terms of distance vision would he notice a drop in contrast especially on low light overcast days compared to before . ? How much contrast would he lose , for example 20% ?
Guest john20510
Edited
I actually created a chart about a year ago of exactly that! These are clinical results from people in a room reading increasingly challenging contrast patterns (black and white lines spaced close and close together). I compiled this from various sources but I didn't document what those sources were. Anyway the answer is probably better contrast than you have now with cataracts but not quite as good as a healthy 55 year old. As you know though, contrast is a non-issue in most lighting conditions. It's probably only going to be noticeable in low light. One surgeon I spoke to cautioned me against putting too much emphasis on this vs. the lifestyle convenience and functionality of Vivity's extended focus range.
RonAKA Guest
Posted
The Eyhance having better contrast sensitivity than a monofocal seems to defy the laws of physics. It would seem impossible to stretch the depth of focus without compromising contrast sensitivity.
Guest RonAKA
Posted
The monofocal was the Alcon Acrysof. The J&J ZCB00 does in fact do better than the ICB00 (Eyhance) on this clinical test.
RonAKA Guest
Posted
I have to admit I have a problem with the claims of J&J with respect to contrast sensitivity. They seem to defy the laws of physics. I can't find any physical attribute of the J&J lenses that would justify the numbers.
Guest RonAKA
Edited
Ya. Maybe. I'm just the messenger Ron 😃
john20510 NeluG
Posted
if l had an Eyhance in one eye and a vivity in the other eye would there be a noticable difference in distance contrast quality especially on an overcast low light day or would both eyes seem pity much the same and l would have to try hard to notice any difference
Guest john20510
Posted
I'm not sure anyone can really answer that for sure. All we can do it look at data and make guesses. But I think the bigger thing is that the Alcon is blue light filtering and the J&J is not so you would notice that colours look different in each eye. With both eyes they would blend so no worries. But ya. Maybe an idea would be to get a Alcon Vivity in one eye first and see how it works out and if you're unhappy with low light, put an Alcon Monofocal in the other? I know it's an extremely hard decision since the surgery isn't really reversible. I mean not really. Unless you get a really bad outcome / refractive surprise and are really very unhappy. I think you have to be very unhappy for most surgeons to consider an exchange.
RonAKA john20510
Posted
There is an article on line which may help you. There is a graph in it called "The Number of Photons is Constant". It compares the Alcon and J&J monofocals to the Eyhance and Vivity. The image quality varies with distance. The Eyhance is better at distance than the Vivity, but the Vivity is better closer up. Neither is as good as the monofocals. The other thing to consider is that the pupil in each eye should open and closes independently in response to light. The pupil will self compensate for the eye that is getting less light.
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1218: J&J Eyhance versus Alcon Vivity September 6, 2021
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I have an Alcon AcrySof IQ in one eye and an Alcon Clareon in the other eye. According to manufacturer specifications the light transmittance of the Clareon is about 10% more than the AcrySof lens. To me both eyes see the same thing for brightness. They are both very bright in most conditions. Even when it is getting dark, I don't notice any difference.
john20510 NeluG
Posted
My question is would the contrast level with vivity be the same or seem the same as a monofocal in normal light conditions such as a well lit room or sunny day, would the contrast with vivity only be lower or seem lower in poor light conditions such as a poorly lit room or at twilight or overcast day
Guest john20510
Posted
my understanding is that yes, Vivity contrast in normal lighting is fine and probably indistinguishable from a monofocal. Basically when there is more than enough light available, it's great. The contrast will only be a potential issue in low light.
Larksparrow NeluG
Posted
Resurrecting this whole thread, doing my research on vivity and I wonder if you are still happy with your contrast sensitivity, and one question I have not seen answered is, does wearing sunglasses affect daytime contrast, sensitivity?
RonAKA Larksparrow
Edited
I think one of the aspects of the Vivity that is overlooked is that while it reduces the peak contrast sensitivity, the design of the lens spreads it out to closer distances. What you lose in light for the peak, you gain back to some degree at closer distances. Peak contrast sensitivity is still at distance though. The image below is a snip from the Vivity Package Insert document which shows the contrast sensitivity (MTF) vs the defocus or distance being viewed. The 0.0 defocus is distance and normally where a lens is set. A defocus of -1 is a distance of 1 meter or about 3 feet. A defocus of -2.0 is a half meter or about 20 inches. What you can see is that the dark trace of the Vivity is compromised at distance but holds up better than the grey monofocal line as you get closer.
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However, if one uses a mini-monovision configuration and set the closer eye using a monofocal to -1.5 D, the whole MTF curve shifts over for that eye. I have tried to show that in the red line I manually added. Forgive the shaky hand on the mouse! So now with mini-monovision you have two peaks in MTF. One at the usual distance and another at -1.5 D or about 2 feet. The overall MTF in the mini-monovsion configuration easily exceeds that of the Vivity lens set to distance. Think about trying to read in dimmer light. The monovision close eye will easily be better at close distances than the Vivity. And over the whole range two monofocal lenses will be much better than two Vivity lenses set for distance. And a visual acuity graph for the lenses will be very similar. Visual acuity peaks in sync with contrast sensitivity.
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On the sunglasses question, I would think they will reduce contrast sensitivity. Less light, lower sensitivity.
Larksparrow RonAKA
Posted
once again, your knowledge is appreciated. I've decided to go with monofocal in first eye and see what I get out of that. My other eye might be years away from surgery and I'll have more choices and perhaps better options for it. As a hobby photographer and outdoors lover, I am willing to sacrifice some near focus for image quality.
RonAKA Larksparrow
Edited
You may want to think about how you compose your photography shots and focus the camera. I guess these days that is not so big of an issue as most cameras are auto focus. But to see the image clearly with a TTL camera I would think distance vision is what you need and in the the eye that you look TTL with. If you are composing with a screen on the back of the camera then closer vision will be required.
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I think monofocal set for distance in the first eye and delaying the decision on the second eye is a good idea. You may want to use the time between the two eyes to simulate mini monovision with a contact in the non operated eye. It is easy to do. And, you should find your overall vision will improve with the contact. I went that way for about a year or so, before I got my second eye done.