contrast sensitivity and higher-order aberrations in myopes

purpose: to investigate the relationship between higher-order aberrations (hoas) and contrast sensitivity function (csf) in myopes. methods: in this cross-sectional study, hoas and csf were measured in myopic eyes over a 6-mm pupil. pupil diameter was measured in photopic condition. the correlation between hoas and csf was investigated using multivariate linear regression analysis. results: seventy right myopic eyes of 70 subjects with a mean age of 26.6±5.7 years were studied. mean spherical equivalent (se) and refractive astigmatism were -4.97±1.6 d and 0.93±0.5 d, respectively. aulcsf was significantly but indirectly correlated with cycloplegic se (r2=0.57, p=0.02), the root mean square (rms) of total hoa (r2=0.065, p=0.03), 4th-order aberration (r2=0.089, p=0.015) and spherical aberration (r2=0.037, p=0.004). aulcsf had no significant association with age, photopic pupil diameter, refractive astigmatism, and rms of coma aberration. conclusion: spherical and 4th-order aberrations significantly affect contrast sensitivity function. however, other factors such as neural elements of visual pathway may have a role.