Retinal images seen through a cataractous lens modeled as a phase-aberrating screen

Light propagation through a cataractous lens was modeled on the basis of a phase-aberrating medium. The optical frequency characteristics of the modeled optical system were estimated, and examples of foveal images with different values of aberration characteristics were calculated. The phase-aberration effects caused by relatively smooth fluctuations of the refractive index were found to cause a significant deterioration of the foveal image. This theoretical result gives an indication of the main factor that produces image degradation as shown in previous experiments and that is likely to occur in the cataractous eye. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.