Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Comparison of Agreement and Accuracy using Binocular Wavefront Optometer with Autorefractor and Phoropter
Published on: September 16, 2025
Wavefront aberrometry: comparing and profiling higher-order aberrations produced by intraocular lenses in vitro using
James McKelvie1, Judy Y Ku, Brian McArdle
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, and Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Purpose:
To characterize and compare the higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in 3 intraocular lenses (IOLs) designed to minimize HOAs using a new physical model eye.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Methods:
Measurements of higher-order wavefront aberrations were obtained using the Zywave aberrometer and a purpose-built physical model eye. The following IOLs were included: AcrySof IQ IOL SN60WF aspheric, Tecnis ZA9003 aspheric, and Adapt Advanced Optics. Individual Zernike modes were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Fifteen assessments were made of each of 36 individual IOLs (N = 540) at 3 powers (10.0 diopters [D], 20.0 D, 30.0 D), and 18 Zernike modes were compared using multiple ANOVA and canonical discrimination analysis.
Results:
The 3 IOL models at the 3 powers showed significantly different profiles of HOA. Statistical differences were recorded for 10 of 18 individual Zernike modes analyzed for an interaction between model and power. The IOLs of the same model appeared to group together in multivariate analysis. Intraocular lenses of a lower power tended to cluster toward the center of the canonical discrimination analysis, while higher-power IOLs were more peripherally located and appeared least similar.
Conclusions:
Validation experiments using the model eye platform showed high reproducibility and low error. The 3 IOLs had statistically different aberration profiles. Higher-power IOLs had greater differences when analyzed using multivariate techniques. Profiling the HOAs of IOLs may assist in the selection of the most appropriate IOL to maximize visual outcome for a given patient after cataract surgery.
