Evaluation of the consistency of total spherical aberration before and after aspherical intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE

To analyze the consistency between preoperatively estimated and postoperatively measured total spherical aberration and to evaluate the feasibility of personalized selection of an aspherical intraocular lens (IOL) based on the corneal spherical aberration measured by the Scheimpflug photography system (Pentacam).

METHODS

A total of 47 patients (82 eyes) with age-related cataract received a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. Corneal spherical aberration was measured by using the Scheimpflug photography system. Patients with corneal spherical aberration < or = 0.3 microm were implanted with a zero-spherical aberration advanced optics (AO) aspherical intraocular lens and those with corneal spherical aberration > 0.3 microm received a Tecnis ZA9003 aspherical lens (-0.27 microm spherical aberration). Preoperative total remnant spherical aberration was estimated and actual total spherical aberration was measured 3 months postoperatively. The consistency between preoperative and postoperative spherical aberration was analyzed by t-test, correlation analysis, and Blant-Altman plots.

RESULTS

The estimated and measured values of total spherical aberration were (0.189 +/- 0.151) microm and (0.141 +/- 0.131) microm, with a statistical difference (t = 5.347, P < 0.01). For 45 eyes implanted with AO lenses, preoperatively estimated and postoperatively measured total spherical aberration were (0.268 +/- 0.137) microm and (0.214 +/- 0.103) microm. For 37 eyes implanted with Tecnis ZA9003, preoperative estimate of total spherical aberration was (0.092 +/- 0.103) microm and postoperative measured value was (0.054 +/- 0.106) microm. Statistical significance was noted, as was a positive linear correlation between preoperative and postoperative values (gamma = 0.846, P < 0.01). Bland-Altman analysis showed high consistency between the estimated and measured spherical aberration.

CONCLUSION

The estimated total spherical aberration measured preoperatively differed from the value measured postoperatively, but the two values showed good agreement. It is clinically feasible to conduct personalized selection of aspherical IOL based on Scheimpflug photography system (Pentacam) to measure corneal spherical aberration.

[Difference and distance between the central and thinnest points of the cornea: impact of refractive state, age and ocular side]

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to quantify the difference in corneal thickness between the central and thinnest points (∆PachyZ-PachyD), the distance between the center of the cornea and its thinnest point (vector length PachyD) and to explore the impact of refractive state, age and ocular side.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional study and medical records of 16,872 eyes were reviewed. The Orbscan® (Bausch and Lomb) procedure was used for pachymetry and keratometry.

RESULTS

The results showed that ∆PachyZ-PachyD and vector length PachyD were higher in hyperopic eyes (∆PachyZ-PachyD: 11.99 ± 12.08 µm, vector length PachyD: 0.85 ± 0.44 mm) compared to myopic eyes (∆PachyZ-PachyD: 9.2 ± 7.86 µm, vector length PachyD: 0.7 ± 0.37 mm; p < 0.001). Refractive state, age and ocular side demonstrated an independent, statistically significant impact on ∆PachyZ-PachyD and vector length PachyD.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of the significant impact of refractive state, age and ocular side on ∆PachyZ-PachyD and vector length PachyD, these variables should be considered in a normative data collection.

Anterior segment characteristics of keratoconus eyes in a sample of Asian population

PURPOSE

To assess changes in anterior segment parameters of keratoconus eyes at different stages of the disease in a sample of the Asian population.

METHODS

Files of 32 patients (48 eyes) diagnosed as clinical keratoconus were assessed and the following parameters noted: central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), location of thinnest pachymetry, anterior chamber depth (ACD) at the centre from posterior corneal surface, ACD at 1, 2 and 3mm inferior-paracentral, ACD at thinnest pachymetry, anterior chamber volume (ACV) and anterior chamber angle (ACA). For analysis, keratoconus eyes were classified into 3 subgroups according to mean keratometry readings (mild: K≤47.0D, moderate: 47.0<K<52.0D, and severe: K≥52.0D). Forty-five subjects (45 right eyes) were recruited as a control group. They underwent Pentacam tomographic evaluation. The same parameters were recorded for control subjects as in the keratoconus patients.

RESULTS

Each keratoconus subgroup comprised of 16 eyes. CCT, TCT, ACD at centre, ACD at 1, 2mm inferior-paracentral and ACD at thinnest pachymetry were statistically different between mild and severe keratoconus groups (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between normal with each of the moderate and severe keratoconus groups (P<0.05). Non-significant differences were found in ACV (P=0.84) and ACA (P=0.71) between all measured groups.

CONCLUSION

With the exception of ACV and ACA, parameters that include CCT, TCT, ACD at centre, thinnest pachymetry and 1, 2 mm inferior-paracentral were significantly altered with progression of keratoconus. These findings may be useful in monitoring and management of keratoconus patients.

Diagnosing dry eye with dynamic-area high-speed videokeratoscopy

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most commonly reported eye health conditions. Dynamic-area high-speed videokeratoscopy (DA-HSV) represents a promising alternative to the most invasive clinical methods for the assessment of the tear film surface quality (TFSQ), particularly as Placido-disk videokeratoscopy is both relatively inexpensive and widely used for corneal topography assessment. Hence, improving this technique to diagnose dry eye is of clinical significance and the aim of this work. First, a novel ray-tracing model is proposed that simulates the formation of a Placido image. This model shows the relationship between tear film topography changes and the obtained Placido image and serves as a benchmark for the assessment of indicators of the ring's regularity. Further, a novel block-feature TFSQ indicator is proposed for detecting dry eye from a series of DA-HSV measurements. The results of the new indicator evaluated on data from a retrospective clinical study, which contains 22 normal and 12 dry eyes, have shown a substantial improvement of the proposed technique to discriminate dry eye from normal tear film subjects. The best discrimination was obtained under suppressed blinking conditions. In conclusion, this work highlights the potential of the DA-HSV as a clinical tool to diagnose dry eye syndrome.

[Assessment of the optical image quality of the eye using raytracing technique of corneal topography data]

BACKGROUND

Optical aberrations in the optical system may downgrade image quality and cannot be fully compensated by spherocylindrical glasses. The subjectively evaluated visual acuity may be significantly reduced. The purpose of this study was to calculate the image forming properties of the eye using a spotlight source or alternatively extended objects.

METHODS

A convex and first derivative continuous (C1) surface from the rough height data of the anterior corneal surface (TMS-1, Tomey, Erlangen) or the anterior and posterior corneal surface (Orbscan, Orbtec, USA) was calculated by means of an interpolating subdivision scheme (modified Butterfly algorithm). The characteristics of the residual refractive surfaces were used according to Navarro's eye model. The focal distance was calculated from the exact raytracing calculation (Snellius' law) of the point-spread function by minimising the variance of the point-spread function. The diffraction property of the aperture stop was implemented with a transmission characteristic according to a radially symmetrical Bessel function within the entrance pupil. The algorithm was realised with a C code on the LINUX platform and applied to a normal eye (example 1, TMS-1), an eye with severe keratoconus (example 2, TMS-1) and an eye with corneal scars (example 3, Orbscan).

RESULTS

The focal distance in example 1 (22.5 mm, 22.6 mm, and 22.8 mm) increased with the pupil diameter (2 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm). The variance of the approximately radially symmetrical point-spread function in the focal plane attained a minimum value with a pupil size of 3 mm (0.164, 0.104, and 0.230). In example 2, the focal distance changed inconclusively (21.1 mm, 21.0 mm, and 21.3 mm) with the pupil size (2 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm). The variance of the markedly asymmetrical point-spread function in the focal plane was systematically higher compared to the values of example 1 and reached a minimum value with a pupil size of 3 mm (0.255, 0.224, and 0.371). The imaging of the sinus-modulated pattern is anisotropic due to the asymmetry of the point-spread function. In example 3, the focal distance (22.3 mm, 22.3 mm, and 22.5 mm) did not change systematically with the pupil size (2 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm). The variance of the nearly radially symmetrical point-spread function changed only marginally between pupil sizes of 2 mm and 3 mm (0.231, 0.239, and 0.338).

CONCLUSIONS

Raytracing of corneal topography height data based on refined eye models with the option of auto-focussing has the potential to trace the optical resolution of the eye for arbitrary objects. Further studies on contrast sensitivity and the conversion of the real image to a perceived image by the retina and brain are required for complete modeling of subjective visual acuity.

[Quantification of corneal aberrations with an aberration coefficient]

BACKGROUND

Abnormal corneal surfaces in keratoconus, contact lens induced corneal distorsion or after refractive surgery are thoroughly described by Zernike polynoms. This study investigated such deviations from the healthy eye by a newly introduced aberration coefficient.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

300 healthy eyes were measured with videokeratometry. Corneal Zernike coefficients (grade 1. - 8. degrees ) were used to calculate the aberration coefficient. This number was also determined for 113 eyes with keratoconus (videokeratometric stage 1 to 3 - 4), 326 eyes of contact lens wearers (200 soft and 126 hard lenses) and 119 eyes after Lasik surgery.

RESULTS

In the keratoconus group the aberration coefficient was outside normal limits in 99.2 % and correlated well with the illness stage. Corneal distorsions of low extent appeared in 5 % of soft lens wearers without a difference between yearly or disposable replacement mode. The percentage of hard lens-induced distorsions was 39 % (low extent) and 5 % (considerable extent), respectively. Only 16.8 % of eyes after Lasik had a completely normal aberration coefficient; the rest lied between 1.0 - 1.5 (62.2 %), 1.6 - 2.0 (19.3 %) and > 2.0 (1.7 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The aberration coefficient is a helpful tool for keratoconus classification, quality control of contact lens fitting and quantification of corneal aberrations after refractive surgery. Optical aberrations of the cornea after Lasik surgery are more widespread than presumed so far and reach a considerable extent in a fifth of the operated persons.

Genetic epidemiological study of keratoconus: evidence for major gene determination

Keratoconus (KC) is a noninflammatory corneal thinning disorder and the major cause of cornea transplantation in the Western world. Genetic factors have been suggested in the cause of KC. We conducted a family study to investigate genetic contributions to the development of KC by evaluating familial aggregation and testing genetic models with segregation analysis. KC was diagnosed based on clinical criteria. Familial aggregation of KC was evaluated using both clinical status and three videokeratography indices generated by the Topographic Modeling System (TMS-1). The estimated KC prevalence in first-degree relatives was 3.34% (41/1,226, 95% CI: 3. 22-3.46%), which is 15 to 67 times higher than that in the general population (0.23-0.05%). For all three videokeratography indices, CK, IS, and KISA, KC propositi had significantly higher mean values than controls (all P < 0.0001). Clinically unaffected parents also had significantly higher values for these indices than controls (all P < 0.016). The correlation of KISA in sib and parent-offspring pairs (r = 0.30 and 0.22, respectively, both P < 0.0005) was significantly greater than that in marital pairs (r = 0.14), and the latter was not significantly different from zero. We performed segregation analysis on KISA in 95 families ascertained through KC propositi. Hypotheses of both sporadic and environmental models were rejected (P < 0.001); a major gene model was not rejected (P > 0.1). Additionally, the most parsimonious model was autosomal recessive. In conclusion, we observed strong evidence of familial aggregation in KC and its subclinical indices and this aggregation is likely due to a major gene effect.

[Correlation between semi-quantitative classification of corneal topography and the coefficient of Fourier transformation after non-mechanical perforating keratoplasty]

BACKGROUND

Semiquantitative classification of corneal topography after penetrating keratoplasty has the potential for focusing information about the areal dioptric power of the cornea. The purpose of this study was to objectify the procedure of manual semiquantitative classification using a Fourier transform of corneal topography power data and to correlate both methods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty patients each (30 keratoconus, 20 Fuchs dystrophy) underwent nonmechanical trephination (excimer laser MEL60, Aesculap-Meditec, Jena) in penetrating keratoplasty. All procedures (7.5-mm trephination diameter in Fuchs, 8.0 mm in keratoconus, double-running 10-0 nylon suture) were done by one surgeon. Pre-, intra- and postoperative treatment were identical. At the follow-up examinations, the keratometric astigmatism, qualitative and quantitative criteria of the automatic videokeratography, visual acuity and refraction were assessed. Corneal topography was classified both manually and based on Fourier coefficients.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 24 +/- 5 months, keratometric net astigmatism was 3.0 and 2.7 D with keratoconus and Fuchs dystrophy. Corneal topography analysis showed a higher orthogonality of the bow-tie shape and less asymmetry between opposite hemimeridians with increasing follow-up after keratoplasty. The semiquantitative classification showed a statistically significant correlation with the classification based on Fourier coefficients, especially with higher astigmatism and after suture removal (P = 0.04/0.01 before/after suture removal).

DISCUSSION

After nonmechanical trephination, the semiquantitative classification of corneal topography can be synthetized using Fourier analysis of corneal dioptric power data. In the future, this method may be favored for prediction of potential best-corrected visual acuity after penetrating keratoplasty.