Hartmann Test in Vision Science

Abstract

In this paper, we present three applications of the Hartmann test in vision science, developed atthe optical design laboratory of the Physics Department at the National University of Colombia:lensmeter for progressive addition lenses, corneal topography, and Hartmann-Shack aberrometer.First we briefly describe the classical Hartmann test for astronomical mirrors, and later threevariations of the Hartmann test for optometry and ophthalmology are done. In each case the opticalsystem and geometry used to derive the wavefront aberration from ray aberrations (Hartmannpatterns) are described. In all three cases similar mathematical relationships are obtained, so thatthe wavefront can be determined in each case using the same method of integration. Afterwards,the quantities of interest are calculated in order to find out: in lensometry, maps of cylindrical andspherical refractive power; in topography, the map of tangential curvature; and in aberrometry,the wavefront elevation map and psf. Finally, a brief comment is made on the implementationof the Hartmann test by some commercial companies.