One by One step For Perfact RefractionEye refraction testing is an important part of a comprehensive eye examination that helps determine the correct prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Here are the typical steps involved in the refraction testing process:
1. Initial Eye Examination
- Patient History: The optometrist or ophthalmologist will ask about your vision history, any current problems, and any previous corrective lenses you’ve used.
- Visual Acuity Test: You will be asked to read letters or symbols from a standardized eye chart (like the Snellen chart) to assess your visual sharpness at different distances.
2. Autorefraction
- Autorefractor Test: Some optometrists use an autorefractor machine to get an estimate of your refractive error. This machine shines light into the eye and measures how the light is altered as it reflects off the back of the eye, providing an approximate prescription.
3. Retinoscopy
- Retinoscope Test: The eye doctor shines a light into your eye and observes the reflection off your retina. By changing lenses and observing the reflex, they can gauge the refractive error and determine the appropriate prescription lenses needed.
4. Phoropter Refraction Test
- Phoropter Use: The doctor places a phoropter in front of your eyes. This instrument contains different lenses that can be switched in and out.
- Lens Comparison: The doctor will ask you to look through the phoropter at an eye chart and compare two lens options (e.g., "Which is better: lens 1 or lens 2?"). This step is repeated multiple times to fine-tune the prescription for each eye.
- Astigmatism Check: If astigmatism is present, the doctor will rotate cylindrical lenses to determine the best axis and strength of correction needed.
5. Final Prescription
- Confirming the Prescription: Once the doctor finds the optimal lens settings, they’ll confirm your final prescription.
- Discussion: The doctor may discuss options for glasses or contact lenses and answer any questions you have about your prescription.
6. Optional Additional Tests
- Cycloplegic Refraction: In some cases, especially for children, eye drops are used to temporarily paralyze the focusing muscles of the eye, providing a more accurate measure of refractive error.
- Near Vision Testing: This test may be conducted if you need a prescription for reading or other close-up tasks.
Once these steps are completed, the doctor will write a prescription based on the results, which can be used to order corrective lenses.
