Influence of wavefront aberration on contrast sensitivity in myopic eyes

Objective To investigate the relationship between higher order aberrations and contrast sensitivity (CS) in myopic patients and provide data for the improvement of refractive surgery.Methods In dark condition,196 eyes of 112 patients with best spectacle-corrected visual acuity were examined by Optec6500 visual function instrument (under 5 spatial frequency:1.5 c·d-1,3 c·d-1,6 c·d-1,12 c·d-1,18 c·d-1) and WaveScan system.Results Under the dark condition and at the size of 6 mm pupil,the root mean square (RMS) values decreased from third to sixth order aberrations.Among these aberrations,the most significant ones were third order coma,trefoil and fourth order spherical aberration.Under low spatial frequency,fourth order aberration had negative correlation with CS.CS decreased with the increasing of Z40 and Z60,and increased with Z4-2,Z53.Conclusion Fourth order aberration has more influence on CS;Spherical aberration has negative correlation with CS;Total aberration isn’t the main factor to determine CS;Not all higher order aberrations can decrease CS.Every element of higher order aberrations interacts on each other.