Topography-based assessment of anterior corneal curvature and asphericity as a function of age, sex, and refractive status.
OBJECTIVE
To assess corneal asphericity (Q) and evaluate potential factors influencing the shape of the anterior corneal surface.


METHODS
Medical Optics Research Group, Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional consecutive study, 3 topographic measurements were taken. Eyes were grouped by age in years (A: <or=29; B: 30 to 39; C: 40 to 49; D: 50 to 59; E: 60 to 69; F: >or=70), sex, and refraction.


RESULTS
The study comprised 487 eyes (205 men, 288 women; age 17 to 81 years). The mean Q of the anterior corneal surface was -0.22 +/- 0.14 (SD) overall, -0.21 +/- 0.12 in Group A, -0.25 +/- 0.11 in Group B, -0.21 +/- 0.15 in Group C, -0.23 +/- 0.14 in Group D, -0.19 +/- 0.17 in Group E, -0.20 +/- 0.15 in Group F, -0.23 +/- 0.13 in men, -0.21 +/- 0.14 in women, -0.19 +/- 0.14 in hyperopes (n = 166; >+0.50 to +6.50 diopters [D]), -0.23 +/- 0.13 in emmetropes (n = 162; -0.50 to +0.50 D), and -0.23 +/- 0.15 in myopes (n = 165; <-0.50 to -8.00 D). There was no significant correlation between Q and age; Q differed significantly between men and women (P = .005), hyperopes and emmetropes (P<.0001), and hyperopes and myopes (P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
There were high interindividual variations in the Q value. Thus, proper correction of spherical aberration with intraocular lenses (IOLs) requires sophisticated selection of the asphericity of IOL surfaces based on biometric data and individual corneal Q values.
Scholz
Katja
K
Medical Optics Research Group, Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. katja.scholz@imp.uni-erlangen.de
Messner
Arthur
A
Eppig
Timo
T
Bruenner
Holger
H
Langenbucher
Achim
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult