Dependence of wave front refraction on pupil size due to the presence of higher order aberrations

PURPOSE: Propagation of light through the optical pathway within the eye can lead to a deformation of the wave front that might affect objective but also subjective refraction depending on pupil size. The aim of this study was to investigate the change in wave front refraction that is calculated on the basis of second order Zernike polynomials when varying the pupil size from 6 mm to 3 mm. The change was correlated with the amount of fourth and sixth order spherical aberration and fourth and sixth order astigmatism. METHODS: Wave front aberrations were measured in 130 eyes by means of a Tscherning wave front sensor at a pupil size of 6 mm. Wave front aberrations in terms of Zernike coefficients up to sixth order were approximated for 6 mm and 3 mm pupil size. The wave front refraction was calculated based on the second order Zernike coefficients for both pupil diameters. Resulting differences in wave front refraction (sphere or cylinder) due to the change in pupil size were correlated with the initial higher order aberrations determined for the 6.0 mm pupil by means of a linear regression (Spearman rank correlation coefficient). RESULTS: The correlation between the change in sphere and cylinder on one hand and the spherical aberration and higher order astigmatism on the other hand was found to be highly significant (p<0.001), with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.96 for sphere and R = 0.85 for cylinder. CONCLUSIONS: Calculating the wave front refraction on the basis of second order Zernike polynomials is plagued with the influence of the higher order aberration preexisting in the individual eye. This is one reason why this method does not represent precisely enough subjective refraction. Other methods that calculate the refraction based on wave front measurement independent from the pupil size should be established in the ophthalmic community.     

Evaluation of a clinical aberrometer for lower-order accuracy and repeatability, higher-order repeatability, and instrument myopia.

BACKGROUND: Refractive surgery has stimulated the development of aberrometers, which are instruments that measure higher-order aberrations. The purpose of this study was to test one clinical aberrometer, the Complete Ophthalmic Analysis System (COAS), for its accuracy, repeatability, and instrument myopia for measuring sphere and astigmatism and its repeatability for measuring higher-order aberrations. METHODS: Aberrations of 56 normal eyes (28 subjects) were measured with and without cycloplegia using a COAS, a conventional autorefractor and by subjective refraction. We evaluated lower-order accuracy (sphere and astigmatism) of the COAS and autorefractor by comparing that data with that of subjective refraction. We also tested COAS lower- and higher-order repeatability for 5 measurements taken in less than 1 minute. We evaluated instrument myopia by comparing cycloplegic and noncycloplegic measurements of the same eye. Data were analyzed for a 5.0-mm-diameter pupil. RESULTS: Mean COAS spherical error was between -0.1 and +0.4 diopters (D), depending on cycloplegia and the kind of sphere power computation selected. Cylinder power errors were less than 0.1 D. COAS repeatability coefficients were better than 0.25 D, and instrument myopia was less than 0.4 D. These were comparable with those of autorefraction. Higher-order repeatability was sufficient to allow reliable measurement of normal third-order aberrations and spherical aberration. CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy, repeatability, and instrument myopia of the COAS are similar to those of a conventional autorefractor. Accuracy and repeatability are also similar to those of subjective refraction. Like an autorefractor, the COAS provides instantaneous, objective measurements of sphere and astigmatism, but it also measures higher-order aberrations. We found that it is capable of reliably measuring problematic higher-order aberrations and is therefore a valuable asset for modern clinical eye care.     

Wavefront analysis of an eye with monocular triplopia and nuclear cataract

PURPOSE: To determine whether higher-order aberrations explain patient-reported monocular triplopia. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHOD: A patient complaining of monocular triplopia was examined with a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer to determine whether higher-order wavefront aberrations could account for the triplopia. The patient had a mild nuclear cataract; measurements were made before and after lensectomy. The retinal image was simulated using the Zernike polynomials. RESULT: Spherical aberration (-0.18 microm, 4 mm pupil) and trefoil aberration (-0.16 microm) were increased. The simulated retinal image had a triple configuration similar to the subjective image reported by the patient. After cataract surgery, the subjective triplopia disappeared; spherical, and trefoil aberrations were markedly decreased. CONCLUSION: The monocular triplopia probably stemmed from combined effects of spherical and trefoil aberrations caused by the nuclear cataract.     

显然验光与不同瞳孔直径下波前像差验光的比较

目的采用波前像差仪进行客观验光,比较分析显然验光与不同瞳孔直径下含有不同高阶成分的波前像差验光的关系。方法横断面研究。选取近视及近视散光患者31例（62眼）,利用基于Hartmann．Shack原理的波前传感系统进行波前像差测量。根据所测数据计算出不同瞳孔直径下仅有离焦的屈光度,包含离焦及球差的屈光度和含有离焦、球差及二级球差的屈光度．并应用Friedman检验分析临床显然验光与这些波前像差验光屈光度的关系。结果2、3、4、5、6mm直径瞳孔下的波前客观屈光度分别与临床显然验光屈光度比较,仅含有离焦时的屈光度差异最小,球镜度差异的中位数分别为－0．540、－0．473、－0．422、－0．407、－0．290D,差异具有统计学意义（Z=99．29,P〈0．01）;柱镜度差异的中位数分别为0．193、0．142、0．119、0．078、0．065D,差异具有统计学意义（Z=30．25,P〈0．01）;平均散光轴差异的中位数分别为-2．41、-2．89、-3．03、-1．94、-2．40°,差异无统计学意义（Z=4．42,P〉0．05）。含有高阶成分的屈光度与临床显然验光差异较大。结论由波前像差计算得到的屈光度与瞳孔直径和高阶像差参与的多少有关。纳入较高阶球差后等效屈光度降低,较大瞳孔直径下无高阶像差参与的波前屈光度与临床显然验光较接近。波前验光散光轴向与主觉验光较接近。     

Accommodation stimulus-response function and retinal image quality

Accommodation stimulus-response function (ASRF) and its relationship to retinal image quality were investigated using a modified wavefront sensor. Ten subjects were presented with six vergence stimuli between 0.17 D and 5 D. For each vergence distance, ocular wavefronts and subjective visual acuity were measured. Wavefronts were analysed for a fixed 3-mm pupil diameter and for natural pupil sizes. Visual Strehl ratio computed in the frequency domain (VSOTF) and retinal images were calculated for each condition tested. Subjective visual acuity was significantly improved at intermediate vergence distances (1D and 2D; p < 0.01), and only decreased significantly at 5 D compared with 0.17 D (p < 0.05). VSOTF magnitude was associated with subjective visual acuity and VSOTF peak location correlated with accommodation error. Apparent accommodation errors due to spherical aberration were highly correlated with accommodation lead and lag for natural pupils (R(2) = 0.80) but not for fixed 3-mm pupils (R(2) < 0.00). The combination of higher-order aberrations and accommodation errors improved retinal image quality compared with accommodation errors or higher order aberrations alone. Pupil size and higher order aberrations play an important role in the ASRF.     

LADARWave wavefront measurement in normal eyes

PURPOSE: We evaluated the correlation of Alcon LADARWave wavefront measurements with clinical refraction and corneal topography. METHODS: In a retrospective, non-comparative case series, 60 eyes (30 patients) of healthy individuals evaluated by preoperative examination for refractive surgery were enrolled (manifest sphere, -11.00 to +4.50 D; manifest cylinder, 0 to -4.75 D; 45 eyes were myopic, 12 eyes were hyperopic, and 3 had mixed astigmatism). Correlation of manifest refraction, cycloplegic refraction, and topographic data with wavefront refraction and higher order aberration was assessed. Match percentage given by the wavefront was analyzed. This number represents how much of the wavefront refraction is due to sphere and cylinder (high percentage match) or is influenced by higher order aberration (low percentage match), in which case aberrometer refraction will not be close to phoropter refraction. Pearson's correlation coefficient was assessed for two continuous variables, adjusting for repeated measurements. RESULTS: The median match percentage was 91%. Mean values for all higher order aberration components in a 7.0-mm pupil were: coma = 0.35 +/- 0.29 microm, spherical aberrations = 0.36 +/- 0.31 microm, and other terms of higher order aberrations = 0.31 +/- 0.14 microm. Wavefront sphere, cylinder, and axis terms were highly correlated to manifest and cycloplegic measurements. The high match subgroup had a higher correlation coefficient than the low match subgroup for refraction. Topographic cylinder and axis were not strongly correlated to wavefront refraction, but manifest axis was significantly correlated to topographic axis. CONCLUSION: In 60 normal eyes, the Alcon LADARWave wavefront measurement was highly correlated with refraction, but less well with corneal topography.     

In vivo and in vitro repeatability of Hartmann-Shack aberrometry

PURPOSE: To assess the in vivo and in vitro repeatability of objective refraction and higher-order aberrations (HOAs) measured by a commercially available Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. METHODS: After pupil dilation of 40 myopic or myopic, astigmatic eyes of 20 patients, wavefront measurements were performed 6 times in each eye and in a test object provided by the manufacturer by 2 experienced examiners using a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor (Zywave, software version 3.21, Bausch & Lomb). The mean standard deviation (SD) and the coefficient of variation (CV) for sphere, cylinder, and each Zernike polynomial were computed for a 7.0 mm pupil diameter. Vector analysis was performed for the astigmatism. After the data were subdivided into 2 groups with 3 measurements in each, one measurement that best matched the subjective manifest refraction was chosen in each group and the difference between them was calculated. RESULTS: The mean SD (CV) was 0.15 diopter (D) (7%) for the sphere value of the predicted phoropter refraction and 0.16 D (22%) for astigmatism. Thirty-two eyes had an axis deviation of at least 10 degrees. Vector analysis revealed a mean SD of 0.24@109.8. Other results for mean SD and mean CV were as follows: total in vivo higher-order RMS, 0.097 microm, 13.4%; sphere in myopic test device, 0.034 D, 0.65%; sphere in hyperopic test object, 0.035 D, 0.72%. The difference between the 2 best-matched refractions was significantly different from zero (0.11 D, P<.001). The CV was significantly higher for HOAs than for the 2nd-order aberrations (defocus and astigmatism). CONCLUSIONS: Repeatability of Hartmann-Shack aberrometry by the Zywave wavefront sensor was not satisfactory, particularly for small amounts of HOAs. Under these conditions, aberrometry measurements should be repeated several times and outliers should be excluded in calculating the means.     

Higher-order wavefront aberrations in corneal refractive therapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the changes in higher-order (third through sixth) ocular wavefront aberrations produced by Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT; Paragon Vision Sciences, Mesa, AZ). METHODS: Eighteen eyes of nine myopic subjects were fit with CRT contact lenses. Baseline subjective spherical refraction ranged from -2.25 to -6.00 D (mean +/- SD, -3.33 +/- 1.26 D), and baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity was -0.13 +/- 0.06 (20/15 Snellen equivalent). Whole-eye ocular wavefront aberrations were measured using a previously validated Shack-Hartmann aberrometer. Measurements were taken at baseline and 1 month after treatment initiation. Nine measurements per dilated subject were taken and averaged. Zernike coefficients were used to calculate the third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-order root-mean-square values for each eye for both 3- and 6-mm pupil sizes, and aberrations were averaged and compared with prior baseline readings. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) myopia reduction was 3.08 +/- 0.93 D, resulting in a subjective refraction of -0.22 +/- 0.38 D after 1 month of lens wear. Both logMAR uncorrected visual acuity (-0.07 +/- 0.18; 20/15- Snellen equivalent) and best-corrected visual acuity (-0.14 +/- 0.09) after CRT wear were not significantly different from baseline logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (paired two-tailed t-test; p = 0.41 and 0.65, respectively). Whole-eye aberrations showed a statistically significant increase in higher-order aberrations for both 3-mm (factor of 2.66; p = 0.01) and 6-mm pupils (factor of 2.50; p = 0.005). Each individual higher-order aberration also increased, ranging from a factor of 2.01 to 3.20 for 3-mm pupil sizes and 2.52 to 2.98 for 6-mm pupil sizes. Spherical-like aberrations (S4 and S6) increased by a factor of 1.79 for 3-mm pupil sizes and 2.42 for 6-mm pupil sizes. The Zernike coefficient most affected by CRT was spherical aberration (Z40), which increased from 0.084 +/- 0.16 to 0.39 +/- 0.16 microm (p = 0.0002) for 6-mm pupils. CONCLUSIONS: Use of current CRT lenses for the reduction of myopia increased higher-order wavefront aberrations and spherical aberration (Z40) in particular.     

The effect of phenylephrine and cyclopentolate on objective wavefront measurements

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of phenylephrine and cyclopentolate on wavefront refraction and fourth order spherical aberration C12. METHODS: This cohort study comprised 151 eyes with sphere up to -10.00 diopters (D) and cylinder -3.75 D. Aberrometry was performed using the ALLEGRO WAVE (WaveLight Laser Technologies AG, Erlangen, Germany) after instillation of phenylephrine 5% yielding objective phenylephrine refraction in accommodated steady-state, as well as after cyclopentolate 0.5% providing objective cyclopentolate refraction in non-accommodated state. Accommodation target fogging was turned off. Wavefront aberrations were expressed by Zernike expansion up to the sixth order, and paraxial curvature matching with Taylor series was used to calculate objective wavefront sphere. RESULTS: Objective wavefront sphere was not influenced by pupil size. Eyes showed substantial accommodation after phenylephrine with a myopic shift of -0.66 D comparing objective to subjective manifest sphere (r=0.942, P<.001). Cycloplegic eyes behaved like a model eye, with a difference of -0.08 D between objective and subjective cycloplegic sphere (r=0.976, P<.001). C12 increased ten-fold from 4.0- to 7.0-mm pupil size, keeping the same sign. Comparing cyclopentolate with phenylephrine, the sign of C12 changed in a positive direction by an average +0.124 +/- 0.109 microm (range: -0.052 to +0.632 microm) at 7.0 mm, whereas the total higher order aberrations changed very little. A good correlation was found between C12 and the change in objective wavefront sphere between cyclopentolate and phenylephrine (r=0.75, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fogging of the accommodation target should be used for wavefront measurements. Weaker cycloplegic agents, such as tropicamide, may be used to ensure relaxed but not completely paralyzed accommodation, which would yield "manifest" aberration values close to the natural resting state.     

Wavefront analysis of eye with monocular diplopia and cortical cataract

PURPOSE: To determine whether higher-order aberrations can explain the monocular diplopia reported by a patient. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A patient complaining of monocular diplopia was examined with the Hartmann-Shack aberrometer to determine if the higher-order wavefront aberrations could account for the diplopia. The patient had a mild cortical cataract, and measurements were made before and after lensectomy. In addition, the retinal image was simulated using Zernike polynomials. RESULTS: Spherical aberration (0.20 microm for 4-mm pupil) and secondary astigmatism (-0.12 microm) were increased in the eye. The simulated retinal image had a double configuration that was approximately the same as the subjective image reported by the patient. After cataract surgery, the diplopia disappeared, and the spherical aberrations and secondary astigmatism were considerably decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The monocular diplopia probably stemmed from the combined effects of spherical aberration and secondary astigmatism caused by the cortical cataract.     

Adaptive optics for vision: the eye's adaptation to point spread function

PURPOSE: Despite the fact that ocular aberrations blur retinal images, our subjective impression of the visual world is sharp, which suggests that the visual system compensates for subjective influence. If the brain adjusts for specific aberrations of the eye, vision should be clearest when looking through a subject's typical wave aberration rather than through an unfamiliar one. We used adaptive optics techniques to control the eye's aberrations in order to evaluate this hypothesis. METHODS: We used adaptive optics to produce point spread functions (PSFs) that were rotated versions of the eye's typical PSF by angles in 45 degrees intervals. Five normal subjects were asked to view a stimulus with their own PSF or with a rotated version, and to adjust the magnitude of the aberrations in the rotated case to match the subjective blur of the stimulus to that seen when the wave aberration was in typical orientation. RESULTS: The magnitude of the rotated wave aberration required to match the blur with the typical wave aberration was 20% to 40% less, indicating that subjective blur for the stimulus increased significantly when the PSF was rotated. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that the neural visual system is adapted to an eye's aberrations and has important implications for correcting higher order aberrations with customized refractive surgery or contact lenses. The full visual benefit of optimizing optical correction requires that the nervous system compensate for the new correction.     

Apparent accommodation and corneal wavefront aberration in pseudophakic eyes

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between apparent accommodation in pseudophakic eyes, multifocal corneal effects, and wavefront aberrations of the cornea. METHODS: In 102 eyes of 86 patients who had undergone phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, the amount of apparent accommodation was measured with an accommodometer. The degree of corneal multifocality was determined on the corneal topography by measuring the maximum and minimum corneal refractive powers within the pupillary area. Wavefront aberrations of the cornea were calculated by expanding the height data of the corneal topography into Zernike polynomials for individual pupil size. The influence of higher-order aberration on the retinal image quality was simulated by computing the point-spread function (PSF) and modulation-transfer function (MTF) from the aberration function. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of apparent accommodation and corneal multifocality (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.451, P < 0.001). The coma-like aberration showed a significant positive correlation with the amount of apparent accommodation (r = 0.440, P < 0.001), but the spherical-like aberration did not (r = 0.001, P = 0.993). Among the coma-like aberrations, the component representing vertically asymmetrical distribution of corneal refractive power with greater refraction located in the lower part of the eye was most relevant to apparent accommodation. Computer simulation of PSF and MTF indicated that a focus shift of 0.5 D deteriorated the retinal image significantly more in eyes without higher-order aberrations than in eyes with a moderate amount of coma-like aberrations. CONCLUSIONS: Coma-like aberration of the cornea, along with corneal multifocality, contributes to apparent accommodation in pseudophakic eyes.     

Repeatability and validity of Zywave aberrometer measurements

PURPOSE: To study the repeatability of Zywave aberrometer (Bausch & Lomb) measurements and compare the measurements with those of subjective refraction and noncycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefractions in a clinical setting. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. METHODS: Subjective manifest refraction, noncycloplegic autorefraction, cycloplegic autorefraction, and Zywave aberrometer measurements were performed in 20 eyes of 20 myopic patients. Three consecutive Zywave measurements were performed with and without dilation of the pupil. The mean difference and 95% limits of agreement among the measurement methods were determined for dilated and 3.5 mm pupils. The repeatability coefficient of the Zywave aberrometer measurements was determined. RESULTS: The mean differences in spherical equivalent (SE), sphere, and cylinder between subjective refraction and Zywave predicted phoropter refraction (PPR) with a dilated pupil were -1.10 diopters (D) +/- 0.46 (SD) (P <.001), -1.08 +/- 0.44 D (P <.001), and -0.02 +/- 0.37 D (P =.87), respectively (paired Student t test). After the data were converted to a 3.5 mm pupil, the mean differences were -0.55 +/- 0.48 D (P <.001), -0.50 +/- 0.49 D (P <.001), and -0.16 +/- 0.50 D (P =.15), respectively. The mean difference in SE between autorefraction and cycloplegic autorefraction versus subjective refraction was +0.18 +/- 0.71 D (P =.27) and +0.35 +/- 0.62 D (P =.02), respectively. The mean difference in SE between cycloplegic autorefraction and Zywave PPR with a dilated pupil was -1.44 +/- 0.79 D (P <.001). The repeatability coefficient of Zywave PPR was +/-0.25 D for SE, +/-0.29 D for sphere, and +/-0.29 D for cylinder. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective refraction measurements are slightly more myopic than cycloplegic autorefraction measurements. With a dilated pupil, the Zywave measurements were significantly more myopic than subjective refractions and even more myopic than cycloplegic autorefractions. Zywave measurements and subjective refractions were in better agreement with a 3.5 mm pupil. The repeatability of Zywave aberrometer measurements is adequate for lower-order aberrations.     

Accuracy and precision of objective refraction from wavefront aberrations

We determined the accuracy and precision of 33 objective methods for predicting the results of conventional, sphero-cylindrical refraction from wavefront aberrations in a large population of 200 eyes. Accuracy for predicting defocus (as specified by the population mean error of prediction) varied from -0.50 D to +0.25 D across methods. Precision of these estimates (as specified by 95% limits of agreement) ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 D. All methods except one accurately predicted astigmatism to within +/-1/8D. Precision of astigmatism predictions was typically better than precision for predicting defocus and many methods were better than 0.5D. Paraxial curvature matching of the wavefront aberration map was the most accurate method for determining the spherical equivalent error whereas least-squares fitting of the wavefront was one of the least accurate methods. We argue that this result was obtained because curvature matching is a biased method that successfully predicts the biased endpoint stipulated by conventional refractions. Five methods emerged as reasonably accurate and among the most precise. Three of these were based on pupil plane metrics and two were based on image plane metrics. We argue that the accuracy of all methods might be improved by correcting for the systematic bias reported in this study. However, caution is advised because some tasks, including conventional refraction of defocus, require a biased metric whereas other tasks, such as refraction of astigmatism, are unbiased. We conclude that objective methods of refraction based on wavefront aberration maps can accurately predict the results of subjective refraction and may be more precise. If objective refractions are more precise than subjective refractions, then wavefront methods may become the new gold standard for specifying conventional and/or optimal corrections of refractive errors.     

Vision improvement by correcting higher-order aberrations with phase plates in normal eyes

PURPOSE: To psychophysically demonstrate vision improvement when correcting higher-order aberrations with phase plates in normal eyes. METHODS: The wavefront aberrations of three nonsurgical normal eyes were measured with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. With these measured aberrations, phase plates were fabricated using a lathing technique. Theoretical improvement in retinal image quality was estimated by calculating the optical modulation transfer functions under the white light condition. Visual acuity measurements were also conducted to demonstrate improvement in visual performance after correcting higher-order aberrations with the phase plate. In this visual acuity measurement, a tumbling "E" with high (100%) and low (10%) contrast was used. RESULTS: The phase plate reduced the higher-order root mean square (RMS) wavefront error from 0.39 +/- 0.09 to 0.15 +/- 0.02 microm (mean +/- standard deviation from three eyes) for a 6-mm pupil. With the phase plate, retinal image quality based on the volume of modulation transfer function under 60 cycles per degree (c/deg) was improved by a factor of 1.8 +/- 0.4 over that of the eyes with spherocylindrical correction only. Average improvement in visual acuity achieved by correcting the higher-order aberration was 0.23 lines with high-contrast letters and 1.12 lines with low-contrast letters. All subjects reported subjective improvement in image quality of the letter with the phase plate. CONCLUSION: The phase plate effectively corrected the higher-order aberrations in normal eyes. As a result, both retinal image quality and visual acuity especially with the low-contrast letters were improved. This study demonstrated the feasibility of correcting higher-order aberrations and improving vision with customized optics.     

Optimizing the subjective depth-of-focus with combinations of fourth- and sixth-order spherical aberration

We optimize the subjective depth of focus (DoF) with combinations of spherical aberration (SA4) and secondary spherical aberration (SA6) in various levels. Subjective DoF was defined as the visual interval for which three 20/50 high-contrast letters was perceived acceptable (objectionable blur limits). We used an adaptive optics system to dynamically correct the observer's aberrations and control their accommodation. DoF was measured with a 0.18-D step on three non-presbyopic subjects. The target seen by the subjects was modified to include 25 combinations of SA4 and SA6 (i.e. 0, ± 0.15 and ± 0.30 μm) for 3, 4.5 and 6mm of pupil diameter. We found a mean DoF of 1.97D with a 3mm pupil size, which decreased by 28% with a 4.5mm pupil and by 34% with a 6mm pupil. For 6mm pupil we found an increase of subjective DoF of 45% and 64% with the addition of 0.3 and 0.6 μm of SA4, and of 52% and 117% with the addition of 0.15 and 0.3 μm of SA6. The largest DoF measured (4.78D) increased 3.6 times that of the naked eye and was found for a combination of opposite signs of SA4 and SA6 of 0.6 and 0.3 μm respectively. Reducing the pupil size minimized the effect of aberrations on subjective DoF. Combination of SA4 and SA6 of opposite sign could increase DoF more than three times for pupils larger than 4.5mm. Subjective DoF is well predicted by measuring the induced variation of vergence arising in the pupil size.     

Image quality in myopic eyes corrected with laser in situ keratomileusis and phakic intraocular lens

PURPOSE: To compare image quality due to higher-order aberrations following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or implantation of phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) to correct high myopia. METHODS: Postoperative wavefront examinations, normalized to a pupil size of 5.5 mm, were obtained for 19 LASIK and 20 PIOL eyes for the same surgeon over the same time period. Higher-order aberrations and simulated retinal images were compared. RESULTS: For this small sample, the LASIK eyes yielded an average three times more spherical aberration and two times more coma than PIOL eyes. The effects of these differences were visualized using the simulated retinal images. CONCLUSION: Spherical aberration and coma are the major differences between postoperative LASIK and PIOL higher-order aberrations, and simulated retinal images can be used to visualize these effects.     

Wavefront analysis in normal refractive surgery candidates

PURPOSE: To quantify the higher order aberrations of refractive surgery candidates and compare the wavefront-determined refractions with manifest refractions refined with a +/- 0.25 Jackson cross cylinder. METHODS: Results of 226 consecutive patients (418 eyes) were analyzed with the WaveScan WavePrint system (VISX, Santa Clara, Calif). Only patients with normal eyes without previous surgery were included. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent refraction determined with wavefront analysis was -3.40 +/- 3.14 diopters (D) (range: -10.72 to +5.41 D). The largest amount of higher order aberrations was detected with : a 6-mm pupil diameter (coma 0.14 +/- 0.08 microm; trefoil 0.10 +/- 0.07 microm; spherical aberrations 0.09 +/- 0.07 microm). The mean root-mean-square of higher order aberrations and total aberrations were 0.23 +/- 0.11 microm and 4.00 +/- 2.45 microm, respectively. No statistically significant correlation was noted between higher order aberrations and gender (P = 0.7) or between higher order aberration and refractive level (P > .59). The mean differences in spherical equivalent refraction, sphere, and cylinder between WaveScan measurements and manifest refraction were 0.36 +/- 0.41 D, 0.40 +/- 0.44 D, and 0.28 +/- 0.32 D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides reference values for higher order aberrations in normal refractive surgery candidates. Wavefront analysis also proved to be a valuable tool for objectively measuring preoperative refractive error.     

The Stiles-Crawford effect and subjective measurement of aberrations

We considered the influence that the Stiles-Crawford effect (SCE) has on the measurement of subjective monochromatic and transverse aberration measurements. The SCE was measured with a two channel Maxwellian-viewing system. Transverse aberrations were measured using a vernier alignment technique in three subjects, with the natural SCE operating, with the SCE neutralised by filters optically conjugate with the eye's pupil, and for one subject with filters that shifted the SCE by more than 2 mm. As pupil diameter increased from 1 to 5 mm diameter, without the filters the slope of the transverse aberration versus position in the pupil decreased, e.g. for chromatic aberration this decreased by approximately 90%. The filters had little influence on transverse aberration. The results indicate that subjects do not use the centroid of the image of a blurred line target for alignment, but may rely very much on other cues.     

Randomized prospective clinical study comparing induced aberrations with IntraLase and Hansatome flap creation in fellow eyes: potential impact on wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To measure and compare the changes in objective wavefront aberration and subjective manifest refraction after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap creation with a mechanical microkeratome and a femtosecond laser. SETTING: Private practice refractive surgery center, Irvine, California, USA. METHODS: This randomized prospective study comprised 9 patients (18 eyes) treated with a 2-step LASIK procedure: lamellar keratectomy with a Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb) or the IntraLase femtosecond laser in fellow eyes followed by non-wavefront-guided (standard) excimer laser treatment with the Technolas 217A (Bausch & Lomb) excimer laser 10 weeks later. Fellow eyes were matched to within 0.75 diopter (D) sphere and 0.50 D cylinder. Patients were followed for 3 months after excimer laser treatment. Preoperative and post-flap creation wavefront aberrometry using a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer and manifest refraction were compared between the 2 groups. The same tests were performed 3 months after excimer laser ablation. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were seen in defocus wavefront aberrations after Hansatome (P=.004) and IntraLase (P=.008) flap creation. A hyperopic shift in manifest refraction was noted in the Hansatome group after the creation of the corneal flap (P=.04); no statistically significant changes in manifest refraction were seen in the IntraLase group. Statistically significant changes in total higher-order aberrations (HOAs) (trefoil and quadrafoil Zernike terms) were seen after flap creation in the Hansatome group (P=.02). No significant changes in HOAs were noted after flap creation in the IntraLase group. After the flap was relifted and standard excimer laser ablation was performed, a statistically significant increase in coma occurred in the Hansatome group (P=.008). Standard refractive outcomes in the 2 groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of the LASIK flap alone can modify the eye's optical characteristics in low-order aberrations and HOAs. A significant increase in HOAs was seen in the Hansatome group but not in the IntraLase group. This may have significant clinical implications in wavefront-guided LASIK treatments, which are based on measurements made before flap creation.