A method and apparatus for modeling a lens of an eye, comprising: measuring the anterior shape of the eye's cornea; determining direct optical measurements of at least one parameter of the cornea and at least one parameter of the lens; determining the refractive index of the cornea; correcting the optical measurements to account for the effect of the refractive index of the cornea on the direct optical measurements; measuring the aberration of the eye; calculating the refractive index of the lens by combining the corrected measurements and the measured aberration; and further correcting the optical measurements of the lens to account the effect of the refractive index of the lens on the direct optical measurements.