The effect of lubricant eye drops on ocular wavefront aberrations.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of lubricant eye drop instillation on ocular wavefront aberrations.


METHODS
The wavefront aberrations of the entire optical path of 30 eyes of 15 patients before and following instillation of lubricant eye drops (Bion Tears; Alcon Laboratories Inc, Ft Worth, Tex) were obtained over a 6-mm pupil using a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor (WaveScan; VISX Inc, Santa Clara, Calif). Additional computation of root-mean-square (RMS) errors of higher order aberrations from third to sixth order were done using Zernike Tool Software (VISX Inc). Main outcome measures include the mean changes of total higher order aberrations RMS, higher order aberrations, and point spread function (PSF) of the higher order aberrations.


RESULTS
The mean changes of total higher order aberrations following instillation of lubricant eye drops on the right eyes were -0.07 microm (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.11 to -0.03) and -0.03 microm on the left eyes (95% CI, -0.07 to 0.01). Significant mean changes were noted for coma and trefoil aberrations with a magnitude of -0.08 microm (95% CI, -0.12 to -0.03) and -0.09 (95% CI, -0.13 to -0.05), respectively, as well as a mean change of the PSF of the higher order aberrations (-0.05 diopters, 95% CI, -0.08 to -0.02) on the right eyes. Although no significant changes in these parameters were demonstrated on the left eyes, a similar trend of changes was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular wavefront aberrations may change following eye drop instillation as measured objectively by the WaveScan system. This effect should be taken into consideration in the assessment of patients for wavefront-guided laser vision correction procedures.
Airiani
Suzanna
S
The Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, 635 West 165th St Box 39, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Rozell
Joshua
J
Lee
Shing M
SM
Braunstein
Richard E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008153:Lubrication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions