The influence of optical aberrations in refractive surgery

Optical aberrations lead to defects in image-forming, the image obtained being imperfect and thereby decreasing the quality of vision. When an optic system is not perfect, as happens with the eye, the rays of light that pass through the system produce optical aberrations. The purpose of this review is to describe optical aberrations and their impact on vision and how refractive surgery outcomes are influenced by them. The main optical aberrations of the eye are as follows: spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, oblique astigmatism and high order aberrations. When the patient undergoes various types of surgeries (cataract surgery, corneal refractive surgery) the properties of the eye change and the eye doctor must take into account the correction of optical aberrations to improve vision quality. Abbreviations: LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), UDVA (uncorrected distance visual acuity), SA (spherical aberrations), HOA (higher-order aberrations), RMS (root mean square).