Call us on +44 (0)1923 233980
Wavefront aberrometry
From light waves to clear vision
Wavefront aberrometry is an advanced optical measurement technique that analyses how light waves travel through the eye to detect refractive errors and optical imperfections. The technology works by projecting a beam of light into the eye and capturing how the wavefront of light is altered as it reflects back. These alterations—called wavefront aberrations—provide a detailed map of how the eye distorts incoming light, offering a precise understanding of its optical performance.
The resulting data includes both lower-order aberrations (such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism) and higher-order aberrations (like coma and spherical aberration), which are not detected by traditional methods like manual refraction or traditional autorefractors and would require additional procedures, such as topography.
Wavefront aberrometry in QuickSee Free
QuickSee Free and Free Pro measure objective refraction by wavefront aberrometry, and show results in wavefront maps and spot diagrams.
Spot diagrams: A “mirror image” of the retinal impression
A spot diagram visualises how light rays, after passing through the optical system of the eye, converge (or fail to converge) on the retina. In wavefront aberrometry, the outgoing light from the retina is reflected back and analysed to determine how each part of the pupil affects the shape of the wavefront.
The Hartmann-Shack sensor, a common component in wavefront aberrometers (including QuickSee Free), captures these deviations by breaking the wavefront into an array of spots. These spots show how far each portion of the wavefront deviates from an ideal, undistorted wavefront. Spot diagrams can be used to identify (but not diagnose) conditions that affect refraction, as seen in the examples here:
Wavefront maps: 3D diagrams light wave distortions
Wavefront maps from aberrometry show how light waves are distorted as they pass through the eye’s optical system, revealing both lower-order aberrations (like nearsightedness and astigmatism) and higher-order aberrations (such as coma or spherical aberration). These maps provide a detailed visual representation of the eye’s refractive imperfections, helping guide accurate and customized vision correction.
Wavefront map from a QuickSee Free Pro measurement, as seen in the Companion App
Wavefront aberration also enables expression of refractive error in terms of Zernike coefficients. Zernike coefficients quantify the specific types and magnitudes of optical aberrations present in the eye by breaking down the wavefront error into standardized mathematical components. Each coefficient corresponds to a particular aberration (e.g., defocus, astigmatism, coma), allowing precise analysis and comparison of the eye’s optical quality.
Note: Both QuickSee Free and QuickSee Free Pro use wavefront aberrometry to perform objective refraction. Only QuickSee Free Pro displays the wavefront maps and Zernike coefficients on the device and in the Companion App.
Benefits of wavefront aberrometry in autorefraction
Wavefront aberrometry plays a crucial role in objective autorefraction by enabling:
Greater accuracy and precision
Wavefront-based systems capture thousands of data points across the pupil, creating a high-resolution map of the eye’s refractive profile. This provides more detailed and accurate refractive measurements than conventional autorefractors, which typically rely on simpler optical techniques.
Real-time measurement of the entire visual system
Unlike subjective refraction—which depends on patient feedback—or traditional autorefractors that estimate refraction based on a limited zone, wavefront aberrometry assesses the entire pupil area. This comprehensive measurement helps determine how light is actually being focused on the retina. Additionally, because wavefront aberrometry detects both low- and high-order aberrations, these devices can help identify irregularities or signs of ocular pathologies (like cataracts) that would otherwise go unnoticed with standard refraction tools.
Robust performance in varied environments
Devices like QuickSee Free use wavefront aberrometry in an open-view system, allowing patients to look at a real-world distant target during measurement. This helps relax accommodation (especially critical in children and hyperopes), resulting in a more reliable autorefraction result without the need for cycloplegic agents.
Reliable output determined by data quality
QuickSee Free’s algorithms analyse the wavefront data and provide an autorefraction result only if enough high-quality data are collected and the pupil size is adequate. This ensures that any result provided has already passed internal quality checks and is accurate to clinical standards.
Are you ready for clear vision at hand?
Ready to see how fast, accurate, easy to use handheld autorefraction can accelerate your practice and expand your impact? Get in touch with us for more information.