title: Light scattering and optical aberrations as objective parameters to predict visual deterioration in eyes with cataracts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To predict the visual deterioration of eyes with cortical (CC) or nuclear (NC) cataract from objective data on ocular higher-order aberration (HOA) and forward (FLS) and backward light scattering (BLS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two eyes with mild NC, 41 eyes with mild CC, and 11 normal eyes were examined. Higher-order aberrations were calculated with the Zernike polynomials up to the fourth order from the values obtained by wavefront analysis using the Hartmann-Shack aberrometer. Forward light scattering was calculated from the size of the aberrometer spot images for the central 4 mm, and backward light scattering (BLS) was calculated from the optical density of the Scheimpflug images. The relationship between the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) curve and HOAs, FLS, and BLS was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Area under the log contrast sensitivity function was moderately correlated with the HOAs, FLS, and BLS. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the AULCSF was predicted by the linear combination of these variables (R(2)=.484, P<.001). Area under the log contrast sensitivity was predicted by BLS and HOA (R(2)=.555) in the NC group and by FLS and HOAs (R(2)=.540) in the CC group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Loss of contrast sensitivity was predominantly due to BLS and HOA in eyes with NC and FLS and HOA in eyes with CC. Higher-order aberrations, FLS, and BLS, variables that are obtained objectively, can be used to predict quantitatively the visual deterioration in cataractous eyes.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. fujikado@ophthal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujikado
authors.forename: Teruhito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Sayuri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ninomiya
authors.forename: Hiroya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tano
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oshika
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirohara
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mihashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity