title: Does the chromatic aberration of the eye vary with age?
abstract: The longitudinal chromatic aberration of the eye has been reported to decline with age. Using three different methods, we have measured the aberration in a group of young subjects (27-33 years old) and a group of older subjects (48-72 years old). In two of the methods we used a Badal optometer, either with or without an achromatizing lens incorporated, to examine the effect of wavelength on refractive error. In the third method we used a vernier-alignment apparatus to assess chromatic dispersion directly. None of the results of the experiments performed revealed any difference in aberration between the groups. Furthermore, a linear regression of aberration against age showed no relationship between these variables. We conclude that, for human adults, the magnitude of chromatic aberration is independent of age.
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.forename: X X
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Still
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Thibos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005123:Eye / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000503:physiopathology