A pattern and interferometric probe method is described for measuring aberrations in the human eye. Both subjective. (human reporting) and objective (external measurement) embodiments are suggested. Simulation studies of targets are given for defocus, astigmatism, coma and trifoil. The results for the simultaneous presence of these aberrations at a combined Strehl ratio of 0.67 indicate that the aberration levels could likely each be individually quantified to an accuracy of 0.02lambda rms waves such that the vision could be improved to a Strehl ratio of 0.94. (C) 2003 American Vacuum Society.