We do research because it is interesting and challenging in its own right. Sometimes we also have a direction to which we would like to apply it. Some recent advances from AO research:In astronomy, one instrument using extreme AO, soon to be put on a telescope, will allow us to actually see planets around nearby stars.In vision science, we can now detect the early stages of eye disease and determine whether treatments are having a beneficial effect. Without AO, we would have to wait until it was visible with normal methods, which is usually too late for the patient.In microscopy, much of what we learn about biological processes is by looking into tissue. AO allows us to look deeper and to see far more detail. Doctors can view possible skin cancer sites and diagnose them on the patient without doing a biopsy.
Walkabout 
We do research because it is interesting and challenging in its own right. Sometimes we also have a direction to which we would like to apply it. Some recent advances from AO research:In astronomy, one instrument using extreme AO, soon to be put on a telescope, will allow us to actually see planets around nearby stars.In vision science, we can now detect the early stages of eye disease and determine whether treatments are having a beneficial effect. Without AO, we would have to wait until it was visible with normal methods, which is usually too late for the patient.In microscopy, much of what we learn about biological processes is by looking into tissue. AO allows us to look deeper and to see far more detail. Doctors can view possible skin cancer sites and diagnose them on the patient without doing a biopsy.