Refraction and Aberration Across the Horizontal Central 10 degrees of the Visual Field

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to measure refraction and aberrations across the horizontal central visual field. Methods. Cycloplegic refraction was measured on eight subjects at 13 points across the horizontal central 10[degrees] of the retina using a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. Refractions were converted into mean sphere (M), 90[degrees] to 180[degrees] astigmatism (J180), and 45[degrees] to 135[degrees] astigmatism (J45) components. For five subjects, higher-order aberrations were determined at the center and edges of the field. Results. Subtle changes in refraction were found to exist across the central 10[degrees] of the retina, with changes in mean best sphere varying by up to half a diopter across this region and with smaller changes in astigmatism. Horizontal coma, but no other higher-order aberrations, varied systemically across the visual field; it varied linearly with angle but at different rates for the different subjects. Conclusion. Subtle changes in cycloplegic refraction exist across the horizontal central 10[degrees] of the retina. The results indicate the need for correct alignment when measuring objective refraction.