Contrast Sensitivity and Higher-Order Aberrations in Myopes

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in myopes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, HOAs and CSF were measured in myopic eyes over a 6-mm pupil. Pupil diameter was measured in photopic condition. The correlation between HOAs and CSF was investigated using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Seventy right myopic eyes of 70 subjects with a mean age of 26.6±5.7 years were studied. Mean spherical equivalent (SE) and refractive astigmatism were -4.97±1.6 D and 0.93±0.5 D, respectively. AULCSF was significantly but indirectly correlated with cycloplegic SE (R2=0.57, P=0.02), the root mean square (RMS) of total HOA (R2=0.065, P=0.03), 4th-order aberration (R2=0.089, P=0.015) and spherical aberration (R2=0.037, P=0.004). AULCSF had no significant association with age, photopic pupil diameter, refractive astigmatism, and RMS of coma aberration. Conclusion: Spherical and 4th-order aberrations significantly affect contrast sensitivity function. However, other factors such as neural elements of visual pathway may have a role.