Age-related changes in ocular and corneal aberrations

PURPOSE: To compare the ocular and corneal higher-order aberrations (HA) in eyes of different ages. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Sixty-six eyes of 66 normal subjects (age range 4-69 years; average 37.4 +/- 15.4 years) were examined. Wavefront aberrations of the whole eye (ocular) and cornea were measured for the central 4 mm using a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer. RESULTS: Ocular Coma-like aberration (r = 0.270, P = .029), Spherical-like aberration (r = 0.531, P = .001), and total HA(r = 0.431, P = .001) were significantly correlated with age, whereas the corneal aberrations were not significantly correlated. The ocular total HA aberrations increased significantly after age 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: After 50 years of age, ocular aberrations increased abruptly due to the increase of lenticular HA. Customized ablation should be carefully considered, especially in eyes of presbyopic age. (C) 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.