Characteristics and influencing factors of corneal higher-order aberrations in patients with cataract

Purpose: To observe the distribution characteristics of corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in cataract patients, and analyze the relationship of HOAs with patients' age and ocular biometric parameters. Methods: : This cross-sectional study review the patients undergoing cataract surgery in Wuhan Aier Eye Department from January to August 2022. Root mean square (RMS) of the total corneal HOA, spherical aberration (SA), coma and trefoil aberration for a corneal central region of 4mm and 6mm were measured by the Wavefront Aberrometer (OPD-Scan III; Nidek Inc, Tokyo, Japan). The biometric parameters were measured by swept source coherence laser interferometry (OA-2000; TOMEY Corp, Aichi, Japan). Subgroup analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine whether HOAs were associated with age and ocular biometric parameters. Results: : A total of 976 patients (976 eyes) were included, averagely aged 65 years. The mean RMS of total corneal HOA at central 4mm and 6mm optic zone were respectively 0.20μm and 0.65μm, the RMS of SA were 0.06μm and 0.30μm. Total HOA decreased with age until 60 years and then started to increase afterwards. Total HOA, coma and trefoil aberration increased with corneal astigmatism. Total HOA, SA, and coma aberration differ among different AL groups, and emmetropes had the smallest aberration. Conclusions: : With increasing age, the value of total HOA decrease first and started increasing at 60 years. The trends of corneal HOAs are consistent with corneal low-order aberrations. The values of total HOA, SA and coma aberration were the smallest in emmetropic eyes.