Monochromatic aberrations in children and youth in different cycloplegic conditions.

Purpose The aim of the study was to quantify low and high order Zernike aberrations in children and youths as well as to investigate influence of fogging and cycloplegia on the refraction and aberrations measurement. Methods KR‐1W Topcon aberrometer was used to measure aberrations in refractometer and aberrometer mode. Children were examined three times. First examination in whole group was performed after fogging stimulus used once ‐ in first of three continuous measurements, second after fogging stimulus performed for each measurement and third after pharmacological cycloplegia with 1% Tropicamid. Second and third measurements were performed in selected group of children. Totally 556 schoolchildren and 74 young sportsmen aged from 6‐to‐18 years were investigated. Average age was 13.87, SD 2.29 in large group and 11.33 years, SD 2.7 in smaller group. Results We found significant differences in spherical refraction measured after pharmacological cycloplegia compared to that after fogging. Refraction after cycloplegia was more hyperopic. There were higher differences in high hyperopic children. There were no differences between fogging and cycloplegic measurements in myopes higher then ‐2.00 D.. Aberrometry has given more myopic results then refractometry. Cylinder values were almost the same. Keratometer readings were the same in all measurements conditions. We found similar levels of high order aberrations in myopic, emmetropic and hyperopic children. There was no noticeable symmetry in high order aberrations between right and left eye. Conclusion Both methods of low order aberrations measurement are similar. Optical parameters of cornea do not depend on the cycloplegic status. Low order Zernike aberrations strictly correspond to the refraction error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]