Mikel Aldaba

Visual sensitivity to color errors in images of natural scenes

Simple color-difference formulae and pictorial images have traditionally been used to estimate the visual impact of color errors introduced by image-reproduction processes. But the limited gamut of RGB cameras constrains such analyses, particularly of natural scenes. The purpose of this work was to estimate visual sensitivity to color errors introduced deliberately into pictures synthesized from hyperspectral images of natural scenes without gamut constraints and to compare discrimination thresholds expressed in CIELAB and S-CIELAB color spaces. From each original image, a set of approximate images with variable color errors were generated and displayed on a calibrated RGB color monitor. The threshold for perceptibility of the errors was determined in a paired-comparison experiment. In agreement with previous studies, it was found that discrimination between original and approximate images needed on average a CIELAB color difference DeltaEab* of about 2.2. Although a large variation of performance across the nine images tested was found when errors were expressed in CIELAB units, little variation was obtained when they were expressed in S-CIELAB units.

Age-related changes in accommodation measured with a double-pass system

To measure the accommodative response in a wide age range population using the retinal image quality assessments provided by a double‐pass system.

Measuring the accommodative response with a double-pass system: Comparison with the Hartmann-Shack technique

The current study aims at analysing the suitability of the double-pass technique in measuring the accommodative response. A custom-built setup which allowed simultaneous double-pass and Hartmann-Shack measurements was used. Several metrics to assess the accommodative response were tested and compared. In order to validate double-pass based measurements, the accommodative response was measured in 10 young adults under monocular viewing conditions with an open field fixation test. Accommodation was stimulated with the push up method in the 0-5diopters (D) range with a 1-D step. We found no significant differences among accommodative response measurements obtained with the several metrics compared in the double-pass and the Hartmann-Shack technique. In addition, differences between the double-pass and Hartmann-Shack techniques were not statistically significant. However, we obtained slightly higher values in the measured accommodative response with the double-pass system than those usually reported by other authors. The double-pass technique takes into account all factors influencing retinal image quality. Consequently, we consider this technique as a potential powerful candidate for the analysis of accommodation.

Does the Badal optometer stimulate accommodation accurately

To study whether the accommodation response to Badal optometer is equivalent to the response for real space targets.

Optical quality and intraocular scattering assessed with a double-pass system in eyes with contact lens induced corneal swelling

PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of contact lens (CL)-induced corneal swelling on the optical quality of the eye by means of the double-pass technique. METHODS Measurements of 6 healthy subjects were obtained in 5 visits over 1 week, at baseline and after sleeping with 4 different CLs of +0.50 D, +2.00 D, +5.00 D and +8.00 D (Acuvue2), randomly fitted on 4 different days. The control eye wore no CL. Corneal pachymetry and optical quality of the eye (OQAS, Visiometrics) were measured once at baseline and at three interval times in the follow-up visits: immediately after CL removal, and 1 and 2 h after CL removal. Optical quality was evaluated by means of the Strehl ratio and OQAS values at 100%, 20% and 9% contrasts. Intraocular scattering was evaluated with the objective scatter index (OSI). RESULTS Mean overnight swelling was 5.98 ± 4.29% in CL-eyes versus 0.30 ± 0.78% in control eyes (p < 0.01). Corneal swelling was maximal immediately after CL removal and decreased with time (p < 0.01). A significant worsening in all optical quality parameters and a significant increase of the OSI were found in eyes with corneal swelling (p < 0.05). Two hours after CL removal there were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between CL-eyes and control eyes in any of the measured parameters. CONCLUSIONS Corneal swelling has a significant impact on the optical quality of the eye and on intraocular scattering as assessed with the double-pass technique.

Comparing autorefractors for measurement of accommodation

Purpose To compare the static and dynamic accommodative responses measured with the WAM-5500 and the PowerRef-II autorefractors. Methods The dynamic and static monocular accommodative responses were measured with the WAM-5500 and the PowerRef-II instruments in 30 pre-presbyopic patients (23.66 [±3.19] years). The spherical equivalent was measured at 0.00, 2.50, and 5.00 diopters (D) of accommodative stimulation for the static measurements. The subjective refraction was also determined. Dynamic accommodation was measured for abrupt changes of stimulus vergence of 2.00 D. Mean and peak velocities of accommodation and disaccommodation were evaluated. For the PowerRef-II, dynamic measurements were calculated for sampling frequencies of 5 and 25 Hz. Results For far distance static results, the differences between subjective and WAM-5500 measurements were 0.07 (±0.21) D (p = 0.093) and those between subjective and PowerRef-II measurements were 0.70 (±0.47) D (p = 0.001). The difference in the response measured with both instruments was 0.08 (±0.32) D (p = 0.194) for 2.50 D and −0.32 (±0.48) D (p = 0.001) for 5.00 D of stimulation. For the dynamic mode, the PowerRef-II at 25 Hz measured faster mean and peak velocities of accommodation and disaccommodation than the WAM-5500, with statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences of 0.68 (±1.01), 0.67 (±0.98), 1.26 (±1.19), and 1.42 (±1.53) D/s, respectively. With a sampling frequency of 5 Hz for the PowerRef-II, these differences, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05), were reduced to 0.52 (±0.90), 0.49 (±0.91), 0.83 (±1.07), and 0.83 (±1.31) D/s, respectively. Conclusions There is good agreement between subjective refraction and WAM-5500 measurements. In contrast, the PowerRef-II produced more hyperopic results. There were no differences among instruments at 2.50 D of static stimulation; however, differences were found at 5.00 D. In the dynamic measurements, the PowerRef-II measured faster velocities, partly attributed to the difference in the sampling frequency.

Binocular open-view system to perform estimations of aberrations and scattering in the human eye

We present a system that integrates a double-pass (DP) instrument and a Hartmann-Shack (HS) wavefront sensor to provide information not only on aberrations, but also on the scattering that occurs in the human eye. A binocular open-view design permits evaluations to be made under normal viewing conditions. Furthermore, the system is able to compensate for both the spherical and astigmatic refractive errors that occur during measurements by using devices with configurable optical power. The DP and HS techniques provide comparable data after estimating wavefront slopes with respect to the intersections of an ideal grid and compensating for residual errors caused by the optical defects of the measuring system. Once comparable data is obtained, it is possible to use this combined manner of assessment to provide information on scattering. Measurements in an artificial eye suggest that the characteristics of the ocular fundus may induce deviations of DP with respect to the HS data. These differences were quantified in terms of the modulation transfer function in young, healthy eyes measured in infrared light to demonstrate the potential use of the system in visual optics studies.

Spherical subjective refraction with a novel 3D virtual reality based system.

Purpose To conduct a clinical validation of a virtual reality-based experimental system that is able to assess the spherical subjective refraction simplifying the methodology of ocular refraction. Methods For the agreement assessment, spherical refraction measurements were obtained from 104 eyes of 52 subjects using three different methods: subjectively with the experimental prototype (Subj.E) and the classical subjective refraction (Subj.C); and objectively with the WAM-5500 autorefractor (WAM). To evaluate precision (intra- and inter-observer variability) of each refractive tool independently, 26 eyes were measured in four occasions. Results With regard to agreement, the mean difference (±SD) for the spherical equivalent (M) between the new experimental subjective method (Subj.E) and the classical subjective refraction (Subj.C) was −0.034 D (±0.454 D). The corresponding 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) were (−0.856 D, 0.924 D). In relation to precision, intra-observer mean difference for the M component was 0.034 ± 0.195 D for the Subj.C, 0.015 ± 0.177 D for the WAM and 0.072 ± 0.197 D for the Subj.E. Inter-observer variability showed worse precision values, although still clinically valid (below 0.25 D) in all instruments. Conclusions The spherical equivalent obtained with the new experimental system was precise and in good agreement with the classical subjective routine. The algorithm implemented in this new system and its optical configuration has been shown to be a first valid step for spherical error correction in a semiautomated way.

Assessment of multifocal contact lens over-refraction using an infrared, open-field autorefractor: A preliminary study

PURPOSE To evaluate the usefulness of an infrared open-field autorefractor as a predictor of the refractive error when fitting multifocal contact lenses (MCL). METHODS Objective and subjective measurements of the non-cycloplegic distance refractive error were compared in patients wearing MCL. We used the Grand Seiko WAM-5500 autorefractor for the objective measurements. Three commercially available MCL were tested. Twenty-one eyes of sixteen healthy adults were included in the study. Over-refraction was evaluated in terms of spherical equivalent (SE) and astigmatic vectors (J0 and J45). The mean difference±SD of each parameter was calculated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normal distribution. Pearsons correlation, Bland and Altman plot and paired sample t test were used to compare the results obtained with both methods. RESULTS The mean difference between objective and subjective results of the SE over-refraction was 0.13±0.42D; for astigmatic vectors J0 and J45 were 0.03±0.32D and -0.00±0.17D, respectively. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed a normal distribution for all parameters. The highest Pearsons correlation coefficients were obtained for the SE with values of 0.98 without MCL and 0.97 with MCL. The lowest were obtained for J45 with values of 0.65 without MCL and 0.75 with MCL. Significant correlations were obtained for each parameter. The paired sample t test failed to show significant differences in analyzed parameters except for J0 without MCL. CONCLUSIONS The Grand Seiko WAM-5500 can be used as a screening method of over-refraction in the clinical fitting of MCL.

Optics of Astigmatism and Retinal Image Quality

In the first part of this chapter, the optical condition of astigmatism is defined. The main causes and available classifications of ocular astigmatism are briefly described. The most relevant optical properties of image formation in an astigmatic eye are analysed and compared to that of an emmetropic eye and an eye with spherical ametropia. The spectacle prescription and axis notation for astigmatism are introduced, and the correction of astigmatism by means of lenses is briefly described. The formation of the retinal image for extended objects and the related blurring are also analysed, and the real limits of tolerance of uncorrected astigmatism are provided. Simulations of retinal images in astigmatic eyes, obtained by means of commercial optical design software, are also presented. Finally, the clinical assessment of retinal image quality by means of wavefront aberrometry and double-pass systems in eyes with astigmatism is presented, and current trends in research related to this topic are highlighted.