• My Dashboard My Education Find an Ophthalmologist
  • Home
  • Coronavirus
  • For Ophthalmologists
    • Meetings
      • AAO 2022
        • Meeting Information
          • Past and Future Meetings
          • Mobile Meeting Guide
          • Contact Information
          • Annual Meeting News
          • Health and Safety
          • Policies and Disclaimers
        • Program
          • Program Highlights
          • Subspecialty Day
          • Virtual Meeting
          • Program Committees
          • CME
          • Meeting Archives
        • Expo
        • Registration
        • Hotels & Travel
          • Hotel Reservation Information
          • Chicago
          • International Attendees
          • Hotel Meeting Space
        • Presenter Central
          • Presenter Central
          • Abstract Selection Process
          • Submission Policies
          • Subject Classification/Topics
          • Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs
          • Papers and Posters
          • Videos
          • Grand Rounds Symposium
          • Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines
          • Faculty Development Program
        • Exhibitors
          • Exhibitor Central
          • Exhibitor Portal Information
          • Exhibitor Prospectus
          • New Exhibiting Companies
          • Exhibitor Resources
          • International Exhibitors
          • Promotional Opportunities
          • Exhibitor Hotel Reservations
      • Mid-Year Forum
        • Registration and Travel
        • Congressional Advocacy Day
        • Advocacy Ambassador Program
        • Program
        • Schedule
        • Sponsored Attendees
        • News
      • Codequest
        • Codequest Instructors
        • Claim Codequest CME or CEU Credit
      • Eyecelerator
    • Clinical Education
      • COVID-19
      • Education
        • Browse All Education
        • Courses
        • Cases
        • Learning Plans
        • Interactive
        • Focal Points
        • Wills Eye Manual
        • Disease Reviews
        • Clinical Webinars
        • Diagnose This
        • Self-Assessments
        • Educational Centers
          • Glaucoma Education Center
          • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
          • Laser Surgery Education Center
          • Myopia Resources
          • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
          • Redmond Ethics Center
      • Journals
      • Guidelines
        • Browse All Practice Guidelines
        • Preferred Practice Patterns
        • Clinical Statements
        • Compendium Guidelines
        • Complementary Therapy Assessments
        • Medical Information Technology
        • Ophthalmic Technology Assessments
        • Patient Safety Statements
        • Choosing Wisely
        • Low Vision
        • Eye Care for Older Adults
        • Eye Disease Statistics
        • About the Hoskins Center
      • Video and Image Library
        • Browse All Videos
        • Clinical and Surgical Videos
        • Presentations and Lectures
        • 1-Minute Videos
        • Master Class Videos
        • Basic Skills Videos
        • Interviews
        • Images
        • Submit an Image
        • Submit a Video
      • Podcasts
        • Browse All Audio and Podcasts
        • Experts InSight
        • Ophthalmology Journal
      • News
        • Browse All Clinical News
        • Editors' Choice
        • Headlines
        • Current Insight
      • CME Central
        • Browse All CME Activities
        • Claim CME Credit and View Transcript
        • CME Planning Resources
        • Complete Your Financial Disclosure
        • Joint Sponsorship Portal
        • LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award
        • Safe ER/LA Opioid Prescribing
        • Check Your Industry Payment Records
      • MOC
      • Resident Education
        • Resident Education Home
        • Browse All Resident Content
          • Courses
          • Flashcards
          • Interactive Cases and Simulations
          • Videos
          • Webinars
        • OKAP and Board Exam Resources
          • OKAP Exam
          • Board Prep Resources
          • OKAP and Board Review Presentations
          • Study Flashcards
        • Cataract Master
        • Diversity and Inclusion Education
        • News and Advice from YO Info
        • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
        • PGY-1 and PGY-2 Resources
        • Simulation in Resident Education
    • Membership
      • Join
      • Renew
      • Current Member
      • Volunteer
      • Physician Wellness
      • Member Directory
      • Member Obituaries
      • AAOE Membership
    • Advocacy
      • Advocacy News
      • Get Involved
        • Ways to Give
        • How to Get Involved
        • Congressional Advocacy
        • Support the Academy's Agenda
        • Research Legislation
        • Find Your Legislators
        • I Am an Advocate
        • Advocacy at Home
        • Advocate Tools
        • Best Practices for Advocating at Home
        • Social Media Toolkit
        • Letter to Editor
        • Town Hall Guide
        • Guide to Engaging With New Lawmakers
        • Resources
        • Attending a Political Fundraiser
      • OPHTHPAC
        • About Us
        • Join OPHTHPAC
        • OPHTHPAC Blog
      • Surgical Scope Fund
        • Support Surgery By Surgeons
        • Surgery By Surgeons Blog
    • Publications
      • EyeNet Magazine
        • Latest Issue
        • Archive
        • Subscribe
        • Advertise
        • Write For Us
        • Corporate Lunches
        • Contact
        • MIPS 2022
      • Focal Points
      • Ophthalmology
      • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
      • Ophthalmology Retina
      • YO Info
      • Scope
    • Subspecialties
      • Cataract/Anterior Segment
      • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
      • Cornea/External Disease
      • Glaucoma
      • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
      • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
      • Oculoplastics/Orbit
      • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
      • Refractive Management/Intervention
      • Retina/Vitreous
      • Uveitis
    • IRIS Registry
      • About
      • Using the Registry
        • User Guide
        • Medicare Reporting
        • Maintenance of Certification
        • Non-EHR Reporting
      • Sign Up
        • Application Process
        • Why Participate
        • Once You've Applied: Getting Started
        • What Practices Are Saying About the Registry
      • Requirements
        • EHR Systems
        • Data & Technical Needs
      • Research
      • Registry Dashboard
      • News
      • Medicare & MIPS
    • Medicare Information
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • For Practice Management
    • Managing Your Practice
      • Managing Your Practice Topics
      • Coronavirus Resources
      • Reopening & Recovery
      • Practice Forms Library
      • Practice Management News and Advice
      • AAOE-Talk
      • Video Library
      • Ophthalmology Job Center
      • Benchmarking and Salary Tools
      • Academy Consultations
      • Consultant Directory
    • Coding
      • Coding Topics
      • Codequest Events
      • Ask the Coding Experts
      • Coding Updates and Resources
      • Coding for Injectable Drugs
      • EM Documentation
      • ICD-10-CM
      • Ophthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS) Exam
      • Retina
      • Savvy Coder
    • Webinars and Events
      • Annual Meeting
        • Master Classes
        • Coding Sessions
        • Submit an Instruction Course
      • Codequest Courses
      • Mid-Year Forum
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Upcoming Webinars
    • IRIS Registry
      • Merit-Based Incentive Payment
    • Medicare and MIPS
      • MIPS
        • Quality
        • Promoting Interoperability
        • Improvement Activities
        • Cost
        • Avoid a Penalty
      • Resources
      • Medicare Participation Options
      • Medicare Advantage Plans
      • New Medicare Card
      • Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS)
    • Regulatory Compliance
      • HIPPA Resources
      • Office of Inspector General
      • Audits
      • OSHA
    • AAOE Membership
      • Join AAOE
      • Membership Benefits
      • Renew/Pay Dues
    • About AAOE
      • AAOE Board of Directors
      • AAOE Content Committee
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • For Public & Patients
    • Eye Health A-Z
    • Symptoms
    • Glasses & Contacts
    • Tips & Prevention
    • News
    • Ask an Ophthalmologist
    • Patient Stories
    • No Cost Eye Exams
    • Español
      • A - Z de Salud Ocular
      • Síntomas
      • Anteojos y Lentes de Contacto
      • Consejos y Prevención
      • Noticias
      • Relatos de Pacientes
      • Exámenes de la vista sin costo
      • English
  • AAO 2022
    • Meeting Information
      • Past and Future Meetings
      • Mobile Meeting Guide
      • Contact Information
      • Annual Meeting News
      • Health and Safety
      • Policies and Disclaimers
    • Program
      • Program Highlights
      • Subspecialty Day
      • Virtual Meeting
      • Program Committees
      • CME
      • Meeting Archives
    • Expo
    • Registration
    • Hotels & Travel
      • Hotel Reservation Information
      • Chicago
      • International Attendees
      • Hotel Meeting Space
    • Presenter Central
      • Presenter Central
      • Abstract Selection Process
      • Submission Policies
      • Subject Classification/Topics
      • Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs
      • Papers and Posters
      • Videos
      • Grand Rounds Symposium
      • Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines
      • Faculty Development Program
    • Exhibitors
      • Exhibitor Central
      • Exhibitor Portal Information
      • Exhibitor Prospectus
      • New Exhibiting Companies
      • Exhibitor Resources
      • International Exhibitors
      • Promotional Opportunities
      • Exhibitor Hotel Reservations
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • About Ophthalmology
      • The Eye Care Team
      • Ethics and the Academy
      • History
      • Museum of Vision
      • Values
    • Governance
      • Council
      • Board of Trustees
      • Committees
      • Academy Past Presidents
      • Secretariats
      • Elections
      • Academy Blog
      • Academy Staff Leadership
    • Leadership Development
    • Awards
      • Laureate Recognition Award
      • Outstanding Advocate Award
      • Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
      • International Blindness Prevention Award
      • Distinguished Service Award
      • Guests of Honor
      • Secretariat Award
      • Straatsma Award
      • Achievement Award Program
      • Artemis Award
      • EnergEYES Award
      • International Education Award
      • International Scholar Award
      • Commitment to Advocacy Award
      • Visionary Society Award
    • Financial Relationships
    • Policy Statements
    • Related Organizations
      • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Directory
      • State Society Directory
      • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Meetings
      • State Society Meetings
      • Resources for Societies
    • Year in Review
      • 2020 Year in Review
  • Foundation
    • About
      • 2020-2021 Annual Report
      • Annual Report Archives
      • News From the Chair
      • Foundation Staff
    • Our Impact
      • Partners for Sight
      • Donor Spotlights
      • Global Ophthalmic Community
      • Sponsorships
      • Patients and the Public
    • Giving Options
      • Our Supporters
      • Estate and Planned Giving
      • Ophthalmic Business Council
      • Parke Center Campaign
      • Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Campaign
      • Museum of the Eye Campaign
    • Orbital Gala
      • Why Attend
      • Photo Recap
      • Corporate Support Opportunities
      • Tribute Gifts
      • Silent Auction
      • Corporate Sponsors
    • Donate
    • Museum of the Eye Campaign
      • Museum Supporters
  • Museum of the Eye
    • Visit
    • What's On
      • Museum Galleries
      • Special Exhibitions
      • Current Events
      • Past Events
    • Explore
      • Research and Resources
      • Collection Search
      • Previous Exhibits
      • Oral Histories
      • Biographies
    • Volunteer
    • Mailing List
    • Donate
    • About the Museum
      • Museum Blog
  • Young Ophthalmologists
    • YO Info
    • Learn to Bill
    • Engage with the Academy
  • Senior Ophthalmologists
    • Scope
    • Practice Transitions
  • International Ophthalmologists
    • Global Programs and Resources for National Societies
    • Awards
    • Global Outreach
  • Residents
  • Medical Students
×
Shop
Log In Create an Account
  • For Ophthalmologists
  • For Practice Management
  • For Public & Patients
  • Coronavirus
  • About
  • Foundation
  • Museum of the Eye
  • COVID-19
  • Journals
  • Education
    • Education
    • Courses
    • Cases
    • Learning Plans
    • Interactive
    • Focal Points
    • Wills Eye Manual
    • Disease Reviews
    • Clinical Webinars
    • Diagnose This
    • Self-Assessments
    • Education Centers
      • Glaucoma Education Center
      • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
      • Laser Surgery Education Center
      • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
      • Redmond Ethics Center
      • Myopia Resources
      • Thyroid Eye Disease Resources
  • Guidelines
    • Practice Guidelines
    • Preferred Practice Patterns
    • Clinical Statements
    • Ophthalmic Technology Assessments
    • Patient Safety Statements
    • Complementary Therapy Assessments
    • Compendium Guidelines
    • Medical Information Technology
    • Low Vision
    • Choosing Wisely
    • Eye Care for Older Adults
    • Eye Disease Statistics
    • About the Hoskins Center
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Premium IOLs
    • Patient-Reported Outcomes with LASIK Symptoms and Satisfaction
  • Multimedia
    • Multimedia Library
    • Video
      • 1-Minute Videos
      • Presentations and Lectures
      • Master Class Videos
      • Basic Skills Videos
      • Clinical and Surgical Videos
      • Interviews
      • Resident Lectures
      • Submit a Video
      • YO Video Contest
    • Podcasts
      • Browse Podcast Archive
      • Experts InSight Podcast
      • Ophthalmology Journal Podcast
    • Images
      • Submit an Image
  • News
    • Clinical News
    • Editors' Choice
    • Headlines
    • Current Insight
  • CME
    • CME Central
    • Claim CME Credit and View Transcript
    • CME Planning Resources
    • Complete Your Financial Disclosure
    • Joint Sponsorship Portal
    • LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award
    • Safe ER/LA Opioid Prescribing
    • Check Your Industry Payment Records
  • MOC
  • Residents
    • Resident Education Home
    • Browse All Resident Content
      • Courses
      • Flashcards and Study Presentations
      • Interactive Cases and Simulations
      • Videos
      • Webinars
    • Cataract Master
    • Diversity and Inclusion Education
    • News and Advice from YO Info
    • OKAP and Board Exam Resources
      • OKAP Exam
      • Board Prep Resources
      • OKAP and Board Review Presentations
      • Study Flashcards
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
    • PGY-1 and PGY-2 Resources
    • Resident Knowledge Exchange
    • Simulation in Resident Education
    • Clinical Education /
    • Focal Points - Excerpt
  • Introduction

    Go to Academy Store Learn more and Purchase.
    Wavefront Technology

    Sphere, cylinder and axis are the clinical refraction components that describe what many refer to as lower-order aberrations. Other optical aberrations in the visual pathway of the eye, such as coma and spherical aberration, which used to be referred to as corneal irregularity or irregular astigmatism, are now collectively called higher-order aberrations.

    To conceptualize a wavefront of the aberrations of the eye, consider a light source emanating from the macula and going back out of the eye. Light rays are refracted as they pass through the lens and cornea. A wavefront is constructed by forming a surface using the ends of the exiting light rays. The X-Y dimensions of the wavefront would be the same as the entrance pupil. The Z dimension is representative of the aberration of the eye, also called the optical path deviation. An emmetropic eye without aberrations would have parallel rays exiting the eye and hence a flat wavefront. If the eye is myopic, exiting light rays converge so the wavefront would be concave. If the eye is hyperopic, the light rays diverge, making the wavefront convex. A saddle-shaped wavefront would represent astigmatism. A more complex wavefront would represent higher-order aberrations (Figure 1).

    A series of polynomials are used to mathematically describe the shape of the wavefront. Several Zernike polynomials represent aberrations common in clinical practice, in particular defocus (sphere) and astigmatism. Higher-order aberrations are taking on clinical relevance as more is known about how they affect vision. To determine the total amount of higher-order aberrations, one computes the root mean square of the wavefront deviation after mathematically removing the sphere and cylinder components.

    Wavefront Technology

    Most wavefront-sensing devices used in conjunction with an excimer laser employ a Hartmann-Shack sensor. This device divides light exiting the eye into a grid pattern for analysis by a lenslet array. Other techniques use ray tracing analysis (spatially resolved refractometry), a retinal imaging concept (Tscherning method), or dynamic skiascopy (time-based aberrometry using infrared slit scan of the optical system).

    Wavefront Sensors
    Introduction

    Wavefront technology applied to the eye is a powerful tool for refractive surgery. It represents a paradigm shift in the way optical aberrations can be measured, described, and treated. In addition to considerable utility as a diagnostic tool, wavefront technology has the potential to improve outcomes of refractive surgery and may result in vision better than before surgery. The technology has been used in astronomy for a number of years to improve the image quality of telescopes. It does this by correcting aberrations in reflecting mirrors as well as aberrations induced by the atmosphere. An example is the Hubble space-based telescope for which wavefront analysis was used to correct aberrations caused by an imperfect mirror, resulting in a significant improvement in image quality. Wavefront-guided (WFG) LASIK, also called custom LASIK, is a variation of the surgery where, rather than applying a sphero-cylindrical correction to the cornea, the laser is instructed to ablate a sophisticated spatially variant pattern based on measurements from an aberrometer. The goal of achieving a more optically perfect ablation still depends on appropriate patient selection, high-quality wavefront data, successful surgery, and accurately predicting and managing the changes that occur during healing.

    Wavefront Introduction
  • Log In Forgot password | Forgot email
  • The Academy Store
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Complete Print Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Complete eBook Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Complete Print and eBook Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Residency Print Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Residency eBook Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course Complete Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course Residency Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 01: Update on General Medicine
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 02: Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 03: Clinical Optics and Vision Rehabilitation
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 04: Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 05: Neuro-Ophthalmology
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 06: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 07: Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 08: External Disease and Cornea
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 09: Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 10: Glaucoma
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 11: Lens and Cataract
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 12: Retina and Vitreous
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 13: Refractive Surgery
    2022 IRIS Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) Preparation Kit
    Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs
    Retina Patient Education Video Collection
    Cataract and Refractive Surgery Patient Education Video Collection
    Glaucoma Patient Education Video Collection
    Oculoplastics Patient Education Video Collection
    Pediatrics Patient Education Video Collection
    2022 Coding Coach: Complete Ophthalmic Coding Reference 
    2022 CPT: Complete Pocket Ophthalmic Reference
    2022 Retina Coding: Complete Reference Guide
 
  • Contact Us
  • About the Academy
  • Jobs at the Academy
  • Financial Relationships with Industry
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Help
  • For Advertisers
  • For Media
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

OUR SITES

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY

Medical Professionals

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Public & Patients

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Museum of the Eye

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Trip Advisor
  • Yelp
© American Academy of Ophthalmology 2022