Adaptive optics system for investigation of the effect of the aberration dynamics of the human eye on steady-state accommodation control

It is now known that defocus is not the only aberration in the eye that exhibits dynamic behavior during fixation. It is currently unknown what effects, if any, the dynamics of these other aberrations have on steady-state accommodation control. We constructed an adaptive optics system to serve as a tool for future investigations in this area. The system has several design features of interest, including automated precompensation of defocus and astigmatism and a method to bypass a scanner used to reduce speckle. It also has the facility to measure the eye’s aberrations independent of the aberration manipulation device—a 37-actuator membrane deformable mirror. Coherence function analysis was used to assess the deformable mirror performance in terms of coupling between Zernike modes. Modes beyond third radial order showed severe coupling. Pilot data were collected on one subject to demonstrate the utility of this system in steady-state accommodation studies. The value of the system for future work in this area is discussed.