Posters

Spherical aberration in nuclear cataracts

Poster Details

First Author: J.Lee SOUTH KOREA

Co Author(s):    S. Kim              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To measure higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in nuclear cataracts and to investigate changes of the spherical aberration with the progression of nuclear cataracts.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Wonju College of Medicine – Yonsei University.

Methods:

One hundred and two eyes of older subjects (> 50 years) were classified according to nuclear opalescence (NO) grading of the Lens Opacities Classification System III, and examined with a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer. Sixty-seven eyes with nuclear cataracts (≥ NO 4:21, NO 3:23, NO 2:23) were compared with 35 eyes with relatively clear lenses (< NO 2). To investigate lenticular spherical aberration, HOAs were examined in 28 eyes before and after phacoemulsification, followed by insertion of an aberration-free intraocular lens. The relationship between lens opacity grades and ocular and lenticular spherical aberrations were investigated.

Results:

The mean spherical aberration was smaller in 67 eyes with nuclear cataracts than in 35 eyes with relatively clear lenses (0.13 ± 0.16 vs. 0.25 ± 0.10 µm, P < 0.001). The spherical aberration showed negative associations with nuclear opacity grading (R = -0.408, P < 0.001). The predominant change in HOAs after phacoemulsification was an increase of spherical aberration, and 86% of lenticular spherical aberrations were presumed to have negative values. The lenticular spherical aberration was negatively correlated with the severity of nuclear opacity (R= -0.409, P = 0.031).

Conclusions:

Ocular spherical aberration increases with age, but decreases with the progression of nuclear cataracts due to the negative correlation of lenticular spherical aberration and the severity of nuclear opacity. FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE