PURPOSE: To expand upon and clinically demonstrate the results of a new polynomial decomposition method. METHODS: To discuss the theoretical considerations comparing the qualitative and quantitative information produced by the Zernike coefficients and a new polynomial decomposition basis, in a comparative series of theoretical and clinical case studies. RESULTS: These comparative studies validate the novel polynomial basis that decomposes the wavefront, with clear segregation of the higher and lower aberrations. There is no artifactual reduction of some of the higher order aberration coefficients, providing a more clinically relevant retinal image quality prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the inherent limitations of the Zernike polynomials in clinical ophthalmic applications can be solved by a novel set of polynomials forming an alternative higher order basis. The new basis provides a clear separation between modes containing lower order terms versus higher order terms and offers clinicians a more clinically realistic wavefront analysis. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(2):74-81.].
PURPOSE: To expand upon and clinically demonstrate the results of a new polynomial decomposition method. METHODS: To discuss the theoretical considerations comparing the qualitative and quantitative information produced by the Zernike coefficients and a new polynomial decomposition basis, in a comparative series of theoretical and clinical case studies. RESULTS: These comparative studies validate the novel polynomial basis that decomposes the wavefront, with clear segregation of the higher and lower aberrations. There is no artifactual reduction of some of the higher order aberration coefficients, providing a more clinically relevant retinal image quality prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the inherent limitations of the Zernike polynomials in clinical ophthalmic applications can be solved by a novel set of polynomials forming an alternative higher order basis. The new basis provides a clear separation between modes containing lower order terms versus higher order terms and offers clinicians a more clinically realistic wavefront analysis. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(2):74-81.].