Ocular higher-order aberrations in eyes with supernormal vision

Purpose

To quantify ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in eyes with supernormal vision, that is, natural uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) ≥ 20/15, to analyze the correlation between ocular HOAs and age in these eyes, and to investigate the correlation of HOAs between right and left eyes.

Design

Observational case series.

Methods

Ocular HOAs were examined across a naturally dilated pupil with a diameter ≥ 6.0 mm in 70 eyes of 35 subjects with ≥ 20/15 UCVA (mean age 24.3 years ± 7.7 [SD]) using the Nidek OPD scan wavefront aberrometer. Root-mean-square (RMS) values of HOA, total spherical aberration (TSA), total coma (TC), and total trefoil (TT) were analyzed. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the association between ocular HOAs and age and the correlation of HOAs between right and left eyes.

Results

Mean RMS values were 0.334 ± 0.192 μm for HOA, 0.110 ± 0.077 μm for TSA, 0.136 ± 0.081 μm for TC, and 0.268 ± 0.220 μm for TT. There were no significant differences in the mean values of HOA, TSA, TC, and TT between right and left eyes. The Pearson correlation coefficient between right and left eyes for TSA was 0.764 (P<.0001). No significant correlation was found between right and left eyes for HOA, TC, and TT. No significant correlation was found between each of the ocular aberrations and age.

Conclusions

The amount of ocular HOAs in eyes with natural supernormal vision is not negligible, and is comparable to the reported amount of HOAs in myopic eyes.