Accurate simulation and modeling of the human eye can be tricky. Entire volumes have been written on the subject, and it is a subject that continues to spur new developments. In this study, we will create model of a human eye in ZEMAX using the Liou & Brennan 1997 eye model. This is a fairly up-to-date and comprehensive model of the eye. It accounts for many realistic factors that other models do not, such as an offset pupil, a curved retina surface, an inward-pointing eyeball, and a crystalline lens with two different gradient refractive index profiles (one for the front half and a second profile for the rear half).

The prescription for this eye model (along with a wealth of other extremely important and interesting information) can be found in the book titled “Optics of the Human Eye,” by David A. Atchison and George Smith (2000).

After successfully generating this eye model in ZEMAX, we will use it to design a free-form progressive eyeglass lens.

For other approaches, see the article ZEMAX Models of the Human Eye, by Rod Watkins.