Wavefront Aberrations in Normal Aging Indian Population
Purpose
To describe the magnitude and distribution of monochromatic aberrations and to correlate these with increase in age and changes in pupil size in Indian population.
Methods
An observational cross sectional study including subjects older than 18 years with refractive error between -8.0DS and +8.0DS, cylinder <5D and pupil size >5mm. 50% were emmetropic. Patients with previous ocular surgery, corneal ectasia, rigid gas permeable contact lens wear, ocular abnormality affecting the refractive media and pregnancy were excluded. All patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination followed by Atlas corneal topography (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG), aberrometry in scotopic conditions with Wavefront Supported Custom Ablation (WASCA) aberrometer (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) and IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG).
Results
Ninety-eight patients were enrolled with age ranging from 18 to 75 years. There was a statistically significant correlation noted between age and the spherical equivalent [Pearson’s product moment correlation r=0.57, p< 0.0001, 95% CI (0.46, 0.66)] and a negative correlation with root mean square (RMS) of higher order aberrations (HOA) [(Pearson’s product moment correlation cor=-0.22, p=0.002, 95% CI (-0.36,-0.08)]. A weak negative correlation was noted between age and coma [Pearson’s product moment correlation r=-0.14, p=0.049, 95% CI (-0.28, -0.0001)] There was no correlation between age and the other aberrations. There was a statistically significant correlation between pupil size and RMS 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and HOA.
Conclusion
With increase in age and decrease in pupil size there is a decrease in HOA in aging Indian eyes.