Hyperopic Q-optimized algorithms: a theoretical study on factors influencing optical quality

In this work, we analyze the way in which pupil size, optical zone, and initial hyperopic level influence optical quality for hyperopic Q-optimized corneal refractive surgery. Different Q-optimized algorithms and the Munnerlyn formula were tested to analyze the optical quality of the final retinal image for initial hyperopic errors from 1D to 5D. Three optical zones (5.5, 6, and 6.5 mm) and two pupil diameters (5 and 7 mm) were considered. To evaluate optical quality, we computed the modulation transfer function (MTF) and the area under MTF (MTFa). Q-optimized values at around Q = -0.18 were found to provide the best optical quality for most of the conditions tested. This optimum final asphericity for hyperopic ablation was not depending on the degree of hyperopia corrected, the optical zone or the pupil size being this information important for clinical practice.