On–Eye Evaluation of High–Order Aberrations of Rigid and Soft Contact Lens After Penetrating Keratoplasty

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the correction of high–order aberrations with a rigid gas permeable contact lens (RGPCL) and soft contact lens (SCL) using the Hartmann–Shack (HS) aberrometer for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Methods: We selected 15 eyes of 15 PKP patients demonstrating high–order aberrations at the central 4–mm aperture diameter in both the whole eye with RGPCL and SCL, and without CL (No–CL). We calculated the root mean square error matching to third– and fourth–order Zernike coefficients. From the Zernike coefficients, coma–like aberrations (S₃), spherical–like aberrations (S₄) and S₃+S₄ were calculated. Results: The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the RGPCL group was significantly better than that of the No–CL group (P=0.040, Sheffe’s test), however not better than that of SCL group (P=.185, Sheffe’s test). Regarding S₃ and S₃+S₄, there were significantly fewer aberrations in the RGPCL group than in the No–CL group (Sheffe’s test, P=.0006) or SCL group (P=.0005), however, there was no difference between the SCL group and the No–CL group (P>.05). Regarding S₄, there were significantly fewer aberrations in the RGPCL group than in the No–CL group (P=0.0072), however, there was no difference between the RGPCL group and SCL group, or between the SCL group and No–CL group (P>.05). Conclusions: We objectively evaluated high–order aberrations in PKP eyes with and without CL using an HS aberrometer. Regarding high–order aberrations and BCVA, RGPCL was the first choice to correct the refractive error, especially irregular astigmatism.

Keywords: refractive surgery: optical quality • cornea: clinical science • contact lens