Accuracy of Zernike Polynomials in Characterizing Optical Aberrations and the Corneal Surface of the Eye

These results suggest that, for surfaces such as that present after RK, in keratoconus, or after keratoplasty, even more than 36 terms may be necessary to obtain minimum accuracy requirements. The author suggests that the number of Zernike polynomials should not be a global fixed conventional or generally accepted value but rather a number based on specific surface properties and desired accuracy.