Background: An analysis of the wavefront in human eyes has yielded new findings with respect to the cones and other elements of the retina. But the correction of higher-order wavefront aberrations in photorefractive processes is still associated with basic difficulties.
Materials and methods: The world literature relating to wavefront corrections in experimental research and the correction of photorefractive aberrations in the human eye is surveyed.
Results and conclusions: The correction of higher-order aberrations has permitted a vast improvement in the resolution of the cone-pattern picture existing in vivo. As a consequence, new findings with regard to colour physiology have been forthcoming. On the other hand, the application of wavefront corrections in photorefractive procedures has been only partially successful.