The ability of periorbitally applied antiglare products to improve contrast sensitivity in conditions of sunlight exposure.

Background: Sun glare decreases athletes' contrast sensitivity and impairs their ability to distinguish objects from background. Many commercial products claim to reduce glare but have not been proven effective in clinical studies.

Objective: To determine whether glare-reducing products such as eye black grease and antiglare stickers reduce glare and improve contrast sensitivity during sunlight exposure.

Design And Methods: We tested 46 subjects for contrast sensitivity using a Pelli-Robson contrast chart. Each subject served as an internal control and then was randomized to either application of eye black grease, antiglare stickers, or petroleum jelly at the infraorbital rim. All testing was performed in conditions of unobstructed sunlight.

Results: Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between eye black grease (mean +/- SD, Pelli-Robson value, 1.87 +/- 0.09 logMAR units) and antiglare stickers (1.75 +/- 0.14 logMAR units) in binocular testing (P =.02). No statistical difference was found between the groups in right eyes, left eyes, or in combined data from the right and left eyes. Paired t tests demonstrated a significant difference between control (mean +/- SD, 1.77 +/- 0.14 logMAR units) and eye black grease (1.87 +/- 0.09 logMAR units) in binocular testing (P =.04). There was also a significant difference between control (mean +/- SD, 1.65 +/- 0.05 logMAR units) and eye black grease (1.67 +/- 0.06 logMAR units) in combined data from the right and left eyes (P =.02).

Conclusion: Eye black grease reduces glare and improves contrast sensitivity in conditions of sunlight exposure compared with the control and antiglare stickers in binocular testing.