Effect Of Gray-Green Nike Maxsight Contact Lenses On Color Vision

Background: Nike Maxsight sport contact lenses are a relatively new product with little
published research. Claiming to enhance vision during sport, the lenses filter out several “undesirable” wavelengths from the visible spectrum in order to enhance particular components of sport. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to measure the effect on color vision by Nike Maxsight Gray-Green tinted contact lenses. Subjects’ color vision was tested immediately after insertion and after several hours of contact lens wear to determine whether adaptation occurs to improve color vision through the Maxsight lenses. Performance of subjects on the Farnsworth D-15 and the Lanthony D-15 with Maxsight lenses was compared to performance with habitual correction. Methods: The following study involved thirty five subjects who each played 18 holes of golf. Nine holes were played with Maxsight contact lenses and 9 holes were played with habitual correction. Each subject completed baseline Farnsworth D-15 and Lanthony D-15. Each of these tests were also completed after 9 holes of golf with habitual correction, immediately after inserting the Maxsight lenses, and after 9 holes of golf wearing the Maxsight lenses. Results: As expected, statistically significant findings (p < .05) were observed between wearing the Maxsight contact lenses and wearing habitual correction or baseline testing. More importantly, statistically significant findings were not observed between initial Maxsight color testing and post-9 holes of golf Maxsight testing. Conclusions: There is a significant shift in color perception presented to a contact lens wearer inserting the Maxsight contact lenses. Adaptation to this color shift does not appear to take place after a relatively short (1-2 hour) time frame. When worn as prescribed (for sport activities only) and taken care of properly, the lenses are an appropriate tool to use on the playing field. Safety is compromised if the lenses are worn to drive or for other various daily activities.