Simulation of the Through-Focus Modulation Transfer Functions According to the Change of Spherical Aberration in Pseudophakic Eyes

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of spherical aberration (SA) correction on optical quality in pseudophakic eyes, we simulated the optical quality of the human eye by computation of the modulation transfer function (MTF). We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery in Asan Medical Center, retrospectively. A Zywave aberrometer was used to measure optical aberrations at 1-12 postoperative months in patients with AR40e intraocular lens implants. The MTF was calculated for a 5 mm pupil from measured wavefront aberrations. The area under the MTF curve (aMTF) was analyzed and the maximal aMTF was calculated while changing the SA (-0.2 ~ +0.2 µm) and the defocus (-2.0 ~ +2.0 D). Sixty-four eyes in 51 patients were examined. The maximal aMTF was 6.61 ± 2.16 at a defocus of -0.25 ± 0.66 D with innate SA, and 7.64 ± 2.63 at a defocus of 0.08 ± 0.53 D when the SA was 0 (full correction of SA). With full SA correction, the aMTF increased in 47 eyes (73.4%; Group 1) and decreased in 17 eyes (26.6%; Group 2). There were statistically significant differences in Z(3, -1) (vertical coma; P = 0.01) and Z(4, 4) (tetrafoil; P = 0.04) between the groups. The maximal aMTF was obtained at an SA of +0.01 µm in Group 1 and an SA of +0.13 µm in Group 2. Optical quality can be improved by full correction of SA in most pseudophakic eyes. However, residual SA might provide benefits in eyes with significant radially asymmetric aberrations.