To ascertain the theoretical impact of optical design variations of the intraocular lens (IOL) on the accuracy of IOL power formulas based on a single lens constant using a thick lens eye model. This impact was also simulated before and after optimization. We modeled 70 thick-lens pseudophakic eyes implanted with IOLs of symmetrical optical design and power comprised between 0.50 D and 35 D in 0.5-step increments. Modifications of the shape factor resulting in variations in the anterior and posterior radii of an IOL were made, keeping the central thickness and paraxial powers static. Geometry data from three IOL models were also used. Corresponding postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) were computed for different IOL powers and assimilated to a prediction error of the formula due to the sole change in optical design alone. Formula accuracy was studied before and after zeroization on a uniform and non-uniform realistic IOL power distribution. The impact of the incremental change in optic design variability depended on the IOL power. Design modifications theoretically induce an increase in the standard deviation (SD), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Square (RMS) of the error. The values of these parameters reduce dramatically after zeroization. While the variations in optical design can affect refractive outcomes, especially in short eyes, the zeroization of the mean error theoretically reduces the impact of the IOL’s design and power on the accuracy of IOL power calculation.

The Zernike representation of wavefronts interlinks low- and high-order aberrations, which may result in imprecise clinical estimates. Recently, the Gatinel–Malet wavefront representation has been introduced to resolve this problem by deriving a new, unlinked basis originating from Zernike polynomials. This new basis preserves the classical low and high aberration subgroups’ structure, as well as the orthogonality within each subgroup, but not the orthogonality between low and high aberrations. This feature has led to conversions relying on separate wavefront reconstructions for each subgroup, which may increase the associated numerical errors. This study proposes a robust, minimised-error (lossless) analytical approach for conversion between the Zernike and Gatinel–Malet spaces. This method analytically reformulates the conversion as a nonhomogeneous system of linear equations and computationally solves it using matrix factorisation and decomposition techniques with high-level accuracy. This work fundamentally demonstrates the lossless expression of complex wavefronts in a format that is more clinically interpretable, with potential applications in various areas of ophthalmology, such as refractive surgery.