Characterization of Dysfunctional Lens Index and Opacity Grade in a Healthy Population

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• The dysfunctional lens syndrome (DLS) impacts visual quality.
• Accurate assessment of lens dysfunction is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Existing diagnostic tools may benefit from complementary objective measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the Dysfunctional Lens Index (DLI) and age.
• To explore correlations between DLI, pupil diameter, and higher-order aberrations (HOAs).
• To assess the association between lens opacity grade, pupil diameter, and HOAs.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-one volunteers were divided into two age groups (<50 and ≥50 years).
• The i-Trace system measured DLI, opacity grade, pupil diameter, and HOAs.
• Statistical analysis included correlation and group comparisons.

Main Results:

• Mean DLI was significantly higher in the younger group (p < 0.001).
• DLI showed significant correlations with age (Rho = −0.41), pupil diameter (Rho = 0.20), and various HOAs (Rho ≤ −0.25).
• Lens opacity grade did not differ significantly between groups but correlated with pupil diameter and some HOAs.

Conclusions:

• DLI correlates with age and may serve as a complementary diagnostic tool for DLS.
• Both DLI and opacity grade are related to pupil diameter and HOAs.
• The findings support that DLI measurement algorithms may incorporate these optical parameters.