Optical quality and intraocular scattering in a healthy young population

Abstract

Background:  We objectively assessed the optical quality and intraocular scattering by means of parameters provided by a clinical double‐pass system in healthy young subjects and thereby we obtained new reference data for clinical diagnosis. We calculated normal values of neural contrast sensitivity function (nCSF) from the measured modulation transfer function (MTF) and the contrast sensitivity function (CSF).

Methods:  Eligible subjects were healthy adults aged from 18 to 30-years with a logMAR visual acuity (VA) of 0.0 or better and normal values of CSF. Optical quality measurements for a 4.0-mm pupil were performed using the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS) based on the double‐pass technique. The following parameters were analysed: the modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTF_cutoff), the Strehl^2D ratio, the OQAS values (OV) at 100, 20 and nine per cent contrasts and the objective scatter index (OSI).

Results:  A total of 178 volunteers responded to the call, of whom 181 eyes were finally part of the study taking into account the criteria for inclusion. The values for the optical quality parameters were: 44.54 ± 7.14-cpd (MTF_cutoff), 0.27 ± 0.06 (Strehl^2D ratio), 1.48 ± 0.24 (OV_100%), 1.58 ± 0.32 (OV_20%), 1.64 ± 0.39 (OV_9%), and 0.38 ± 0.19 (OSI). The nCSF calculated was 1.76 ± 0.21 (3-cpd), 2.13 ± 0.23 (6-cpd), 2.01 ± 0.28 (12-cpd) and 1.86 ± 0.33 (18-cpd).

Conclusion:  The normal values provided can be a useful tool for discriminating healthy eyes from early abnormal ones in which the optical quality or sensory function is impaired.

Key words:

• aberrations
• contrast sensitivity
• intraocular scattering
• optical quality
• visual acuity