Zernike Polynomials

A series of mathematical formulae developed by astronomer Fritz Zernike to describe low- and high-order aberrations of an optical system. The complexity of these equations is beyond the ability of most refractive surgeons (and patients) to grasp. All current commercial wavefront analyzers provide a graphical display of aberrations in terms of their Zernike coefficients. No wavefront system currently available is capable of treating above the sixth radial order Zernike term.