Monte Carlo simulation of irradiance distribution on the retina after refractive surgery.

PURPOSE Generation of random wavefronts for ocular wave aberration statistics across the population has been used for various analyses. We propose a more accurate simulation procedure. This simulation technique is not intended to be a perfect representation of an eye, but instead is a tool for those applications where a correct distribution of aberrations across a population is necessary. METHODS Our technique consists of the generation of coefficients of the wavefront expansion into Zernike modes. The simulation makes use of the variance of every mode measured on a large population by using compact and reliable wavefront sensors. RESULTS The simulation procedure was verified by reproducing two statistical functions that characterize eye behavior. This tool can be used to predict the performance of sensing techniques and to evaluate the consequences of customized ophthalmic elements and refractive surgery. It may also be useful for deriving both first and second order photon statistics of the point-spread function on the human retina (a key parameter in certain visual perception models). CONCLUSIONS A new tool for analysis of customized refractive surgery is presented and the evolution of the light intensity probability density function on the retina with compensation attained after customized correction of the eye's aberrations is analyzed.