Age-related changes in ocular and corneal aberrations

PURPOSE: To compare the ocular and corneal higher-order aberrations (HA) in eyes of different ages. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Sixty-six eyes of 66 normal subjects (age range 4-69 years; average 37.4 +/- 15.4 years) were examined. Wavefront aberrations of the whole eye (ocular) and cornea were measured for the central 4 mm using a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer. RESULTS: Ocular Coma-like aberration (r = 0.270, P =.029), Spherical-like aberration (r = 0.531, P =.001), and total HA(r = 0.431, P =.001) were significantly correlated with age, whereas the corneal aberrations were not significantly correlated. The ocular total HA aberrations increased significantly after age 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: After 50 years of age, ocular aberrations increased abruptly due to the increase of lenticular HA. Customized ablation should be carefully considered, especially in eyes of presbyopic age.