Effects of chalazion on corneal astigmatism and wave-front aberrations in Egyptian patients

Abstract

Aim This study investigated the correlation between chalazion, regarding its size, site and location, and different types of refractive errors, as well as high-order aberrations in Egyptian patients. Patients and methods This is a cross-sectional study which compared 53 eyes from 48 patients having eyelid chalazion with 43 eyes of age-matched control group. Chalazion was classified according to size, site, and location. Refraction was done using an autorefractokeratometer. Corneal topography and aberrations were done using a Scheimpflug topographer. Results The third-order aberration (coma Z31) and fourth-order aberration (secondary astigmatism Z42) were higher in the chalazion group compared with the control group (P=0.035 and 0.035, respectively). Lower lid chalazia showed higher Esafoil aberration Z66 than both upper lid and control group (P=0.015 and 0.001, respectively). In addition, the large-sized chalazion group showed a significant increase in Esafoil aberration Z66 than the small-sized group and the control group (P=0.004 and 0.003, respectively). No difference was observed between the chalazion group and the control group regarding autorefractokeratometer data or topographic data. Conclusion Although the presence of chalazion may not be associated with changes in refraction or corneal astigmatism, it still can cause increase in some high-order aberrations and hence, in the quality of vision. Besides, it is a threat as a source of infection before any surgical procedure. Therefore, it is important to exclude and treat any chalazion before proceeding with any refractive surgery especially wave-front-guided and wave-front-optimized corneal refractive procedures.