Clinical ocular wavefront analyzers.

PURPOSE: To provide a summary of the methods used by clinical wavefront analyzers and their historical, current, and future applications. METHODS: Review of the literature and authors' experience with the various devices. RESULTS: A wide range of clinical wavefront aberrometers, which use different principles, are available to clinicians and researchers. CONCLUSIONS: Applications of wavefront analyzers in vision sciences range from assessment of refractive error, refractive surgery planning, evaluation of outcomes, optimization of contact lenses and IOL designs, evaluation of pathology relating to optical performance of the eye, and evaluation of accommodation alterations.