Population spherical aberration: associations with ametropia, age, corneal curvature, and image quality

PURPOSE: The aim of this analysis was to determine the total ocular wavefront aberration values of a large phakic population of physiologically normal, ametropic eyes, gathered under the same clinical protocol using the same diagnostic wavefront sensor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies were conducted at multiple sites in Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. A Bausch + Lomb Zywave II Wavefront Aberrometer (Rochester, NY, USA) was used to measure the lower and higher order aberrations of each eye. Data analysis was conducted using linear regression analysis to determine the relationship between total spherical aberration, ametropia, age, corneal curvature, and image quality. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed no correlation (r = 0.0207, P = 0.4874) between degree of ametropia and the amount of spherical aberration. There was also no correlation when the population was stratified into myopic and hyperopic refractive groups (r(m) = 0.0529, P(m) = 0.0804 and r(h) = 0.1572, P(h) = 0.2754). There was a statistically significant and weak positive correlation (r = 0.1962, P < 0.001) between age and the amount of spherical aberration measured in the eye; spherical aberration became more positive with increasing age. Also, there was a statistically significant and moderately positive correlation (r = 0.3611, P < 0.001) with steepness of corneal curvature; spherical aberration became more positive with increasing power of the anterior corneal surface. Assessment of image quality using optical design software (Zemax™, Bellevue, WA < USA) showed that there was an overall benefit in correcting the average spherical aberration of this population. CONCLUSION: Analysis of this dataset provides insights into the inherent spherical aberration of a typical phakic, pre-presbyopic, population and provides the ability to determine what drives the spherical aberration of the eye, as well as what potential benefit a person could gain by compensating for that average spherical aberration.