Abstract

FR.14.03

Can the optical performance of intraocular lenses be improved by reduction of chromatic aberration?

Hakan Kaymak1, Frank Schaeffel2, Ulrich Mester1
1Augenklinik, Bundesknappschaft Sulzbach/Saar, Sulzbach; 2Sektion Neurobiologie des Auges, Universitäts-Augenklinik Tübingen, Tübingen

The introduction of aspheric intraocular lenses (IOL) lead to a improvement of image quality in pseudophakic eyes. Theoretically, further benefit can be achieved by the reduction of chromatic aberration which is raised after implantation of an IOL compared to the situation in phakic eyes.
The longitudinal chromatic aberration is caused by the wavelength-dependent refraction of white light resulting in an mean amount of 2 diopters. The consequence is a lost of contrast sensitivity of 0.2 log units and a 5 % drop of visual acuity.
On the other hand, eye and brain use chromatic aberration to enhance depth of focus.
The chromatic aberration of an IOL is defined by the Abbe-number which depends on the IOL material. A newly developed instrument (FS) allows the measurement of chromatic aberration of the eye using the method of photorefraction of polychromatic light with different color channels. Results gained in phakic and pseudophakic eyes will be presented.
Benefit and physiologic limits of correcting chromatic aberration will be discussed, as they are influenced by several factors like pupil size, lens position, and monochromatic aberration.

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