# Study of Visual Quality and Higher Order Aberrations in Early Posterior Capsular Opacification

## TL;DR

This study examines how early posterior capsule opacification affects vision quality and higher order aberrations, suggesting early treatment may help patients with multifocal lenses.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific visual quality parameters and HOAs affected by early PCO and suggests benefits of early intervention for multifocal IOL patients.

## Key findings

- PCO group showed significant differences in OSI, MTF cutoff, SR, trefoil, Z18, and Z24 compared to controls.
- MfIOL group had earlier PCO follow-ups with better MTF cutoff and SR than MoIOL group.
- Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in logMAR CDVA, MTF cutoff, SR, DLI, HOs total, and coma based on OSI.

## Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to explore the visual quality and characteristics of higher order aberrations (HOAs) in patients with early posterior capsule opacification (PCO), providing a theoretical basis for the clinical assessment of early PCO and the potential benefits of Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy.

Methods: This cross-section observational study included 73 patients (73 eyes) diagnosed as PCO at a tertiary hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. All subjects underwent optometric examinations, OQAS, and iTrace measurements, followed by posterior capsule retroillumination photography after full mydriasis. Images were imported into ImageJ software, selecting a 3-mm diameter central area of the intraocular lens (IOL), and the mean gray value (MGV) of this area was recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted on baseline data, the first PCO follow-up time, logMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), MGV, objective visual quality parameters, dysfunctional lens index (DLI), and various HOAs parameters.

Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group exhibited statistically significant differences in parameters such as OSI, MTF cutoff, SR, trefoil, Z18, and Z24 (p < 0.05); however, logMAR CDVA, HOs total, coma, and spherical aberration did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). Compared to the monofocal IOL (MoIOL) group, the multifocal IOL (MfIOL) group had earlier PCO follow-ups, with significantly better MTF cutoff and SR, and significantly lower Z7 and Z10 (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis based on OSI showed significant differences between the two groups in parameters such as logMAR CDVA, MTF cutoff, SR, DLI, HOs total, and coma (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Early PCO significantly impacts objective visual quality and HOAs in patients. Early intervention may provide greater visual benefits for patients implanted with MfIOL.