Practice Pearls: Is HOA Correction the Real Deal?
By
MADISON MOSS, OD
September 1, 2025
Clinical Scorecard: Practice Pearls: Is HOA Correction the Real Deal?
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Higher-Order Aberrations (HOAs) Key Mechanisms Disrupt the path of light through the eye, not correctable by standard lenses. Target Population Patients with corneal irregularities, ectasia, surgical history, trauma, or high ametropia. Care Setting Ophthalmology and optometry practices.
Key Highlights
HOAs affect nearly all patients to some degree. Symptoms include glare, halos, starbursts, ghosting, and blurred vision. Quantification of HOAs relies on aberrometer data. Patient selection is crucial for successful HOA correction. Wavefront-guided lenses can significantly improve vision performance. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Identify significant HOAs through patient conversation and aberrometry. Management
Utilize wavefront-guided contact lenses for HOA correction. Monitoring & Follow-up
Assess for neural adaptation and monitor for cataract development. Risks
Consider ocular surface disease and other uncontrollable factors. Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals seeking enhanced visual performance or correction of bothersome HOAs.
HOA correction can be life-changing for appropriate candidates.
Clinical Best Practices
Conduct high-quality scans in dark rooms with stable lens fit. Underpromise and overdeliver in patient expectations. Stay informed on advancements in HOA measurement and correction. References
