Simulation of Corneal imaging properties for near objects

Purpose: Using raytracing simulation to study the effect of corneal imaging metrics for different aperture sizes as a function of object distances with different schematic model eyes. Methods: This raytracing simulation determined the best focus (with the least root-mean-square (rms) ray scatter) and the best wavefront focus (with least rms wavefront error) for four schematic model eyes (Liou-Brennan (LBME), Atchison (ATCHME), Gullstrand (GULLME) and Navarro (NAVME)) with 4 aperture sizes (2–5 mm) and 30 object distances in a logscale from 10 cm to 10 m plus infinity. For each configuration, 10,000 rays were traced through the cornea, and the aperture stop was located at the lens front apex plane as described in the model eyes. The wavefront was decomposed into Zernike components to extract the spherical aberration term. Results: The focal distance with respect to the corneal front apex increases from around 31 mm for objects at infinity to around 40 mm for objects at 10 cm. The best (wavefront) focus was systematically closer to the cornea compared with the paraxial focus, and the overestimation of focal length with the paraxial focus was larger for large aperture sizes and small object distances. The rms ray scatter and wavefront error were both systematically larger with large aperture and small object sizes. At best focus the rms wavefront error was systematically larger, and the rms ray scatter was systematically smaller compared to the best wavefront focus. Spherical aberration varied more with GULLME than with LBME or NAVME, and increased strongly at smaller object distances. Conclusions: The imaging properties of the cornea, especially spherical aberration, increase strongly as the object distance decreases. This effect should be considered, especially when considering aberration correcting lenses for near vision such as multifocal or enhanced depth of focus lenses. © 2021 The Authors. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists