Evaluation of higher order ocular aberrations in patients with keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To describe higher order ocular aberrations in eyes with keratoconus.

METHODS

Prospective, observational, case-control study comparing higher order ocular aberrations in patients with keratoconus with control subjects with myopia.

RESULTS

One hundred sixteen patients with keratoconus were recruited. Data were analyzed in 35 keratoconus eyes, 38 keratoconus suspect eyes, and 166 right eyes with myopia. Mean total higher order root-mean-square (RMS) values (3rd to 5th order) were 1.73 +/- 0.71 microm in eyes with keratoconus, 0.94 +/- 0.66 microm in eyes with keratoconus suspect, and 0.49 +/- 0.16 microm in control eyes. Keratoconus eyes had greater total higher order RMS, 3rd to 5th order RMS, and RMS for all Zernike terms than those in the control group (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Keratoconus and keratoconus suspect eyes had significantly larger higher order aberrations in total higher order RMS and 3rd order RMS than control eyes.