Comparison between anterior corneal aberration and ocular aberration in laser refractive surgery

To compare changes of anterior corneal aberration (Pentacam) and ocular aberration (aberrometer, LADARWave) after laser refractive surgery.

Sixty-six eyes underwent laser refractive surgery and were retrospectively reviewed. Anterior corneal aberration and ocular aberration were measured by Pentacam and an aberrometer (LADARWave) respectively. Changes of root mean square (RMS) values of coma, spherical aberration, and total high order aberration (HOA) were evaluated before, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery

Ocular aberrations displayed low preoperative values, but after laser refractive surgery, anterior corneal aberration and ocular aberration increased equally. There were no statistically significant differences of internal optics aberration values (ocular aberration minus anterior corneal aberration) in coma, spherical aberration, and total HOA. Anterior corneal aberration and ocular aberration showed statistically significant correlations at 1 and 3 months after surgery.

Internal optics aberration compensated the anterior corneal aberration effectively before surgery, but the increase of anterior corneal aberration after laser refractive surgery exceeded the compensation of internal optics. As a result, anterior corneal aberration and ocular aberration increased equally. The correlation between anterior corneal aberration and ocular aberration after surgery was statistically significant due to the increased proportion of anterior corneal aberration in ocular aberration.