What does the term 'higher order aberrations' typically refer to?

The term 'higher order aberrations' refers to visual distortions that go beyond simple defocus and astigmatism, which are classified as lower order aberrations. Higher order aberrations encompass complex distortions in vision that often arise from imperfections in the optical system of the eye, particularly relating to the cornea and lens. These can result in issues such as halos, starbursts, and other visual distortions that can significantly affect clarity and quality of vision, especially in low light conditions.

Options related to changes in color perception, geometric shape errors, and night vision deficiencies do not accurately describe higher order aberrations. While these factors can indeed affect vision quality, they pertain to different aspects of visual perception or eye function rather than the complex optical aberrations that higher order aberrations specifically denote.