Peripheral optics of the eye and its relevance to visual performance and refractive error development

The nature of the peripheral optics of the human eye will be discussed, including the levels of second order (the refraction components) and higher order aberrations, and how these are influenced by factors such as age and refraction type. While peripheral resolution is insensitive to high levels of aberration, this is not the case for detection, and recent efforts have been given to correction of the peripheral optics in order to improve vision for people with poor central vision function. \ud \ud Following the study of Hoogerheide et al. (1971), it has been considered that a refraction pattern of peripheral hyperopia is likely to cause development and progression of myopia; this has led to anti-myopia spectacles and contact lenses with additional positive power in the periphery. However the study has been almost universally misinterpreted, and data in children will be presented showing that a peripheral hyperopia pattern does not predict development of myopia. Modelling will be presented indicating how the peripheral optics might influence eye growth