Purpose:
To measure visual acuity at 3 different defocus planes in pseudophakic participants with varying levels of spherical aberration induced by an adaptive optics visual simulator. The study aimed to simulate extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Setting:
Private hospital (IMO Barcelona Grupo Miranza, Barcelona, Spain).
Design:
Observational case series; modelling theory.
Methods:
Through-focus visual acuity was measured in 26 pseudophakic participants (age 63 ± 10 years old) with an adaptive optics visual simulator optimized for clinical use (VAO). Measurements were made under 5 different conditions of induced negative spherical aberration: 0 μm, −0.07 μm, −0.15 μm, −0.23 μm, and −0.30 μm (pupil diameter: 4.5 mm). Results were also modelled using ray-tracing simulations.
Results:
On average, depth of focus (DoF) was extended when spherical aberration increased from −0.07 to −0.15 μm (4.5 mm pupil diameter). Some individuals (27%) experienced improved DoF with higher magnitudes of spherical aberration, while others (23%) exhibited no benefit from increased (negative) SA, as visual acuity dropped below acceptable levels. DoF calculations based on ray tracing showed general agreement with the measurements.
Conclusions:
The visual conditions of EDOF IOLs were artificially recreated in a population of pseudophakic patients implanted with a monofocal IOL. The variability seen across participants in visual acuity at different defocus planes suggests that visual simulators might be capable of screening participants for suitability and tolerability of these advanced technology lenses.
