May 2003
Volume 44, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2003
Off-Axis Secondary Image Formation Due to Peripheral Light Focusing as a Source of Pseudophakic Dysphotopsia
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • L.S. Kwok
    Ophthalmology, Univ of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • T. Pham
    Ophthalmology, Univ of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • M.T. Coroneo
    Ophthalmology, Univ of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  L.S. Kwok, None; T. Pham, None; M.T. Coroneo, None.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2003, Vol.44, 271. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      L.S. Kwok, T. Pham, M.T. Coroneo; Off-Axis Secondary Image Formation Due to Peripheral Light Focusing as a Source of Pseudophakic Dysphotopsia . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003;44(13):271.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To quantify the influence of pupil size and intraocular lens (IOL) design on unwanted photic effects (dysphotopsia) due to secondary image formation from off-axis light focusing. Methods: The refractive optics of the pseudophakic human eye were simulated with an anatomically-based computer model. Non-sequential optical ray-tracing (OptiCAD) was performed with an IOL of anterior radius 14.23 mm; posterior radius 25 mm; 0.72 mm centre thickness; 5.5, 6, 6.5 mm dia; and refractive index of 1.5597. Peripheral light focusing due to off-axis light was calculated for light rays incident on the temporal cornea at angles of 0° to 120° to the sagittal plane. Pupil diameters of 3, 5 and 7 mm were used. Results: Focused light was able to strike the nasal retina over a large range of angles up to 90º incidence (frontal plane). The maximum intensity achieved was 1.4-1.5 log units over incident intensity. For a bandwidth threshold of 1 log unit intensity, the angle bandwidth increased with pupil size, being 38º at 3 mm to 50º at 7 mm. The greatest area of secondary light formation occurred around 80º incidence. IOL diameter made little difference. A smaller 20º bandwidth of incident light was able to focus on the nasal edge of the IOL optic with an intensity of 0.4 log units over incident intensity. Conclusions: Off-axis light can form focal areas on the nasal retina and IOL optic edge. These secondary foci have sufficient intensity and area to become noticeable under certain viewing conditions. Their occurrence over the physiological range of pupil sizes may explain the unwanted photic effects experienced by pseudophakic patients. Our results indicate that current IOL design principles need revision to minimize secondary image formation by peripheral light focusing.

Keywords: cataract • refractive surgery: complications • optical properties 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×