Geometrical Simplification of Gravitational Lensing Using Energy-Based Refraction

This work presents a simplified geometric model for gravitational lensing based on energy-density-induced refraction. By analogizing light bending in curved spacetime to refraction through a graded medium, the model captures the gravitational influence of extended mass distributions without solving Einstein's field equations directly. The predicted deflection angles across multiple systems (Milky Way, M31, Abell 370, and the Sun) show excellent agreement with observational values. This approach highlights a novel interpretation of general relativistic effects through an optical perspective.