[Aspheric optics: physical fundamentals].

Especially regarding intraocular lenses and refractive corneal surgery, one finds numerous concepts on how to improve the optical quality of the human eye through aspheric optics. Aspheric optics consists of optical surfaces in which at least one surface (for example, the corneal surface) deviates from the spherical shape. An aspheric (that is, not spherical) surface enables the correction of aberrations, especially the spherical aberration, by freely shaping the optical surface. The optical aberrations of the human eye can theoretically be minimized through the use of aspheric optics; however, the results are always affected by the optical properties of the cornea and the lens. Aspheric intraocular lenses allow a reduction of postoperative spherical aberrations of the patient's eye, but an optimal individualized conformation can result only when the shape of the cornea (asphericity) is considered. By the same token, the ideal corneal asphericity after refractive surgery for an individual eye cannot be defined without knowing the optical properties of the intraocular structure. Theoretical observations of aspheric optics in refractive surgery show that with aspheric approaches, a higher optical quality for the human eye can be attained. These theoretical advantages must, however, prove themselves in everyday clinical routine.