Howarth P A, Zhang X X, Bradley A, Still D L, Thibos L N
School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
J Opt Soc Am A. 1988 Dec;5(12):2087-92. doi: 10.1364/josaa.5.002087.
The longitudinal chromatic aberration of the eye has been reported to decline with age. Using three different methods, we have measured the aberration in a group of young subjects (27-33 years old) and a group of older subjects (48-72 years old). In two of the methods we used a Badal optometer, either with or without an achromatizing lens incorporated, to examine the effect of wavelength on refractive error. In the third method we used a vernier-alignment apparatus to assess chromatic dispersion directly. None of the results of the experiments performed revealed any difference in aberration between the groups. Furthermore, a linear regression of aberration against age showed no relationship between these variables. We conclude that, for human adults, the magnitude of chromatic aberration is independent of age.
