Abstract

The human eye’s ability to form clear images on the retina can be compromised by aberrations arising from refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Wavefront aberrometry, facilitated by the Hartmann-Shack sensor, offers a promising solution for precisely measuring these aberrations. This sensor divides incoming light into multiple beamlets, enabling detailed assessment of aberrations through Zernike polynomials. Spherical aberrations, astigmatism, coma, and tilt are among the aberrations quantified by this method. The derived wavefront aberration coefficients inform the prescription of corrective lenses algorithmically. While wavefront aberrometry holds considerable potential for auto-refraction and initial eye examinations, its applicability may be limited in cases of highly distorted corneas, such as those found in keratoconus. High corneal curvature can lead to overlapping lighted spots on the sensor, potentially compromising accuracy. Nonetheless, advancements in technology promise enhanced processing power and detailed data representation, paving the way for the integration of wavefront aberrometry into modern auto-refractors. This abstract summarizes the principles of wavefront aberrometry, its potential applications, and considerations for its use in clinical practice.

Keywords:Wavefront Aberrometry; Auto-refraction; Hartmann-Shack sensor; Zernike polynomials; Refractive errors; Keratoconus; Corneal curvature; Aberrations; Lens prescription; Optical imaging

Abbreviations: CCD: Charge-Coupled Device; HOA: Higher Order Aberrations; HS: Hartmann-Shack; IOL: Intraocular Lens; ISO: International Organization for Standardization; LCD: Liquid Crystal Display; Z0-Z8: Zernike Polynomials Terms 0 to 8