Kazuhiko Ohnuma

The Contribution of the Posterior Surface to the Corneal Aberrations in Eyes after Keratoplasty

PURPOSE To investigate the contribution of posterior corneal surfaces to higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of the cornea, optical quality, and visual acuity after keratoplasty. METHODS Corneal topography of anterior and posterior surfaces and pachymetry were conducted using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in 40 eyes (10 eyes after penetrating keratoplasty [PK], 10 eyes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [DALK], 10 eyes after Descemets stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty [DSAEK], and 10 normal eyes). Anterior, posterior, and total corneal HOAs were calculated using ray-tracing and decomposition into Zernike polynomials and were evaluated as root mean square values. Modulation transfer functions (MTFs) were also evaluated. RESULTS Topography maps of the anterior and posterior surfaces showed reverse patterns in the normal, PK, and DALK eyes, but not in DSAEK eyes. In the normal, PK, and DALK eyes, the total corneal HOAs were significantly smaller (~10%) than were the HOAs of the anterior surface (P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference between total and anterior HOAs in the DSAEK eyes (P = 0.483). In the normal, PK, and DALK eyes, the MTFs of the total cornea were slightly better than those of the anterior surface. In the DSAEK eyes, the MTFs of the total cornea were lower than those of the anterior surface. Visual acuity was significantly correlated with total and anterior surface HOAs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Posterior surfaces compensate for anterior aberrations in normal, PK, and DALK eyes. In DSAEK eyes, the posterior surface increased total corneal HOAs and had a negative influence on MTFs.

Violet Light Exposure Can Be a Preventive Strategy Against Myopia Progression

Prevalence of myopia is increasing worldwide. Outdoor activity is one of the most important environmental factors for myopia control. Here we show that violet light (VL, 360–400 nm wavelength) suppresses myopia progression. First, we confirmed that VL suppressed the axial length (AL) elongation in the chick myopia model. Expression microarray analyses revealed that myopia suppressive gene EGR1 was upregulated by VL exposure. VL exposure induced significantly higher upregulation of EGR1 in chick chorioretinal tissues than blue light under the same conditions. Next, we conducted clinical research retrospectively to compare the AL elongation among myopic children who wore eyeglasses (VL blocked) and two types of contact lenses (partially VL blocked and VL transmitting). The data showed the VL transmitting contact lenses suppressed myopia progression most. These results suggest that VL is one of the important outdoor environmental factors for myopia control. Since VL is apt to be excluded from our modern society due to the excessive UV protection, VL exposure can be a preventive strategy against myopia progression.

Feasibility of spherical aberration correction with aspheric intraocular lenses in cataract surgery based on individual pupil diameter

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of correcting spherical aberration with aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in cataract surgery based on individual pupil diameter. SETTING: Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: In this prospective study, eyes having cataract surgery were divided into 4 groups based on IOL type: aspheric SN (AcrySof SN60WF), aspheric ZA (Tecnis ZA9003), aspheric PY (Hoya PY‐60 AD), and spherical (AcrySof Natural SN60AT). Postoperative higher‐order aberrations (HOAs) of the cornea and whole eye and the pupil diameter under photopic and mesopic conditions were measured. The HOA was calculated using the individual pupil diameter. The correlation between corneal and ocular spherical aberrations and pupil diameter was evaluated. RESULTS: Each group comprised 30 eyes. Ocular spherical aberrations were significantly lower than corneal spherical aberrations under mesopic conditions in the aspheric SN group, the aspheric ZA group, and the aspheric PY group (P<.05); there was no significant difference between the aberrations in the spherical group. Linear regression showed significant correlations between postoperative corneal and ocular spherical aberrations (β = 0.39, aspheric SN; β = 0.38, aspheric ZA; β = 0.58, aspheric PY; β = 0.79, spherical). The differences in corneal and ocular spherical aberrations were significantly correlated with pupil diameter in the aspheric IOL groups but not in the spherical IOL group. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of spherical aberration correction by aspheric IOLs varied depending on IOL type and individual pupil diameter. The linear regression equation in this study may make it possible to customize postoperative ocular spherical aberration after cataract surgery.

Quality of Image of Grating Target Placed in Model of Human Eye With Corneal Aberrations as Observed Through Multifocal Intraocular Lenses

PURPOSE To evaluate the quality of the image of a grating target placed in a model eye viewed through multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). DESIGN Laboratory investigation. METHODS Refractive (NXG1 or PY60MV) or diffractive (ZM900 or SA60D3) multifocal IOLs were placed in a fluid-filled model eye with human corneal aberrations. A United States Air Force resolution target was placed on the posterior surface of the model eye. A flat contact lens or a wide-field contact lens was placed on the cornea. The contrasts of the gratings were evaluated under endoillumination and compared to those obtained through a monofocal IOL. RESULTS The grating images were clear when viewed through the flat contact lens and through the central far-vision zone of the NXG1 and PY60MV, although those through the near-vision zone were blurred and doubled. The images observed through the central area of the ZM900 with flat contact lens were slightly defocused but the images in the periphery were very blurred. The contrast decreased significantly in low frequencies (P<.001). The images observed through the central diffractive zone of the SA60D3 were slightly blurred, although the images in the periphery were clearer than that of the ZM900. The images were less blurred in all of the refractive and diffractive IOLs with the wide-field contact lens. CONCLUSION Refractive and diffractive multifocal IOLs blur the grating target but less with the wide-angle viewing system. The peripheral multifocal optical zone may be more influential on the quality of the images with contact lens system.

Visual simulation of retinal images through a decentered monofocal and a refractive multifocal intraocular lens

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of decentration of a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) and a refractive multifocal IOL on retinal image quality using a new visual simulation system.MethodsUsing a new visual simulation system, we performed visual simulation of a monofocal and a multifocal IOL at 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0.4 m with several decentered IOL positions from 0 to 1.0 mm through a 3- or 4-mm aperture using Landolt visual acuity (VA) charts. The VA was estimated under each condition from the simulated retinal image.ResultsWith a monofocal IOL, the image was affected minimally by decentration at 4 and 5 m; at 2 and 3 m, the image contrast decreased slightly with increased decentration. With the multifocal IOL, some loss of image contrast developed at all distances compared with the monofocal IOL; however, the images of the Landolt’s rings were still recognizable under all conditions.ConclusionsOur results suggest that up to 1.0 mm of decentration of a monofocal and multifocal IOL would not greatly affect the retinal image quality. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2005;49:281–286

Novel biometrics based on nose pore recognition

We present a new member of the biometrics family-i.e., nose pores-which uses particularly interesting properties of nose pores as a basis for noninvasive biometric assessment. The pore distribution on the nose is stable and easily inspected. More important, nose pore distribution features are distinguishable between different persons. Thus, these features can be used for personal identification. However, little work has been done on nose pores as a biometric identifier. We have developed an end-to-end recognition system based on nose pore features. We also made use of a database of nose pore images obtained over a long period to examine the performance of nose pores as a biometric identifier. This research showed that the nose pore is a promising candidate for biometric identification and deserves further research. The experimental results based on the unique nose pores database demonstrated that nose pores can give an 88.07% correct recognition rate for biometric identification, which showed this biometric identifiers feasibility and effectiveness.

Correlation between contrast sensitivity and higher-order aberration based on pupil diameter after cataract surgery

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between contrast sensitivity and calculated higher-order aberrations based on individual natural pupil diameter after cataract surgery. Methods This prospective study included 120 eyes from 92 patients who were randomized to receive one of four lenses, including three aspheric lenses (Acrysof SN60WF, Tecnis ZA9000, and Hoya Py60AD) and one spherical lens (Acrysof SN60AT). Contrast sensitivity, higher-order aberrations of the whole eye, and pupil diameter under photopic and mesopic conditions were measured 1 month postoperatively. Higher-order aberrations were decomposed into Zernike coefficients, calculated according to individual pupil diameter. The correlation between higher-order aberrations and contrast sensitivity was evaluated. Results There were no significant differences in contrast sensitivity function between the four types of lenses under photopic conditions. However, the contrast sensitivity function and area under log contrast sensitivity function in the aspheric lenses were significantly better than in the spherical lens under mesopic conditions. Under mesopic conditions, spherical aberration in eyes with aspheric lenses was significantly lower than in eyes with spherical lenses (P < 0.05). Under photopic conditions, coma aberration had a significant negative correlation with contrast sensitivity at 12 cycles/degree. Under mesopic conditions, spherical aberration had a significant negative correlation with contrast sensitivity at 3, 6, and 12 cycles/degree with glare, and with contrast sensitivity at 6 and 18 cycles/degree without glare. Conclusion In terms of influence on visual function, coma aberration may be more significant under photopic conditions and spherical aberration under mesopic conditions.

Retinal image contrast obtained by a model eye with combined correction of chromatic and spherical aberrations

Correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations in vitro in human eyes provides substantial visual acuity and contrast sensitivity improvements. We found the same improvement in the retinal images using a model eye with/without correction of longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LCAs) and spherical aberrations (SAs). The model eye included an intraocular lens (IOL) and artificial cornea with human ocular LCAs and average human SAs. The optotypes were illuminated using a D65 light source, and the images were obtained using two-dimensional luminance colorimeter. The contrast improvement from the SA correction was higher than the LCA correction, indicating the benefit of an aspheric achromatic IOL.

Evaluation of Optical Function Using a New Point Spread Function Analysis System in Cataractous and Pseudophakic Eyes : Preliminary Results

PurposeTo evaluate optical function in cataractous and pseudophakic eyes using the new point spread function (PSF) analysis system in a clinical setting.MethodsWe applied this new analysis system in the study of two cataractous eyes and one pseudophakic eye of two patients. Using a PSF analyzer, double-pass PSF was measured directly for each subject, and the single-pass modulation transfer function (MTF) and single-pass PSF were calculated. The simulated retinal images of various sizes of Landolts rings and their contrast characteristics were also calculated by the PSF analyzer.ResultsThe MTF and the contrast of the simulated retinal images degraded in cataractous eyes were compared with data for normal eyes; the degradation pattern depended on the opacification pattern. The MTF and the contrast of the simulated retinal images in the pseudophakic eye improved significantly compared with the cataractous eyes, although both values were lower in the pseudophakic eye than in young normal eyes.ConclusionsOur data showed degradation of optical function in cataractous and pseudophakic eyes in comparison with optical function in young normal eyes. If further accumulations of PSF data are made, it may be possible to establish an objective standard by which to measure the progression of cataract, as well as an objective indication for treatment in the future. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:12–19

Calculation of ocular single-pass modulation transfer function and retinal image simulation from measurements of the polarized double-pass ocular point spread function.

The single-pass modulation transfer function (MTF(sgl)) is an important numerical parameter that can help elucidate the performance and some processes of the human visual system. In previous studies, the MTF(sgl) was calculated from double-pass point spread function (PSF) measurements. These measurements include a depolarized reflection component from the retina that introduces a measurement artifact, and they require long acquisition times to allow averaging to reduce speckle. To solve these problems, we developed a new ocular PSF analysis system (PSFAS) that uses polarization optics to eliminate the depolarized retinal reflection component, and a rotating prism to increase measurement speed. Validation experiments on one patient showed that the MTF(sgl) measured by PSFAS agrees closely with the MTF calculated from contrast sensitivity measurements. A simulated retinal image was calculated by convolution of Landolt rings with the calculated single-pass PSF provided by the PSFAS. The contrast characteristic then was calculated from the simulated retinal images. These results indicate that the MTF(sgl) obtained using the PSFAS may be a reliable measure of visual performance of the optics of the eye, including the optical effects of the retina. The simulated retinal images and contrast characteristics are useful for evaluating visual performance.