Influence of age on peripheral refraction

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• Peripheral refraction is crucial for understanding visual field optics.
• Age-related changes in the eye can influence refractive error.
• Limited data exists on age effects on peripheral refraction across different refractive error groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of age on objective peripheral refraction.
• To compare peripheral refraction between young and older adults with similar refractive errors.
• To analyze peripheral refractive components across various visual field eccentricities.

Main Methods:

• Objective peripheral refraction was measured in 55 young (24±4 years) and 41 older (59±3 years) subjects.
• Participants were categorized into subgroups based on refractive error: low hypermetropes, emmetropes, low myopes, and moderate myopes.
• Measurements extended to 35 degrees eccentricity in temporal and nasal visual fields.

Main Results:

• Young and older subjects with comparable refractive corrections exhibited similar peripheral refraction.
• Both age groups demonstrated a relative hypermetropic shift peripherally with increasing myopia.
• Peripheral astigmatism (J180) decreased as myopia increased, while J45 showed minimal variation across the visual field.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral refraction in emmetropes to moderate myopes is largely unaffected by age in healthy eyes.
• Age is not a significant factor for peripheral refractive components when refractive errors are similar.
• Understanding peripheral refraction is key for comprehensive eye care and optical correction.