Phoropter

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Phoropter at Rodman & Engelstein office 2

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Phoropter

A phoropter is an ophthalmic testing device, also known as a refractor, used by eye care professionals during an eye examination. It contains different lenses used for refraction of the eye during sight testing to measure an individual's refractive error and determine their eyeglass prescription.

History

The phoropter was first developed in the early 20th century. The term "phoropter" was coined by combining the words "phoro" (meaning "to carry") and "optometer" (an instrument for measuring the refractive power of the eye). The device has evolved significantly over the years, incorporating advanced technology to improve accuracy and ease of use.

Components

A phoropter typically includes the following components:

• Lens dials: These allow the eye care professional to switch between different lenses to test the patient's vision.
• Prisms: Used to measure and correct strabismus and other binocular vision problems.
• Cylindrical lenses: These are used to measure and correct astigmatism.
• Spherical lenses: Used to measure and correct myopia and hyperopia.
• Cross cylinders: These help in refining the axis and power of astigmatism correction.

Function

During an eye examination, the patient looks through the phoropter at an eye chart. The eye care professional changes the lenses and asks the patient for feedback on which lenses provide the clearest vision. This process helps in determining the best corrective lenses for the patient.

Types of Phoropters

There are two main types of phoropters:

• Manual phoropters: These require the eye care professional to manually change the lenses and record the results.
• Digital phoropters: These are automated and can quickly switch lenses and record results electronically, often providing more precise measurements.

Usage

Phoropters are used in various settings, including:

• Optometry clinics
• Ophthalmology offices
• Vision therapy centers

Maintenance

Regular maintenance of a phoropter is essential to ensure accurate measurements. This includes cleaning the lenses, checking the alignment, and calibrating the device as needed.

Related Pages

• Optometry
• Ophthalmology
• Refractive error
• Eyeglass prescription
• Astigmatism
• Myopia
• Hyperopia
• Strabismus

See Also

• Autorefractor
• Retinoscope
• Visual acuity

Resources

Latest articles - Phoropter

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Phoropter for any updates.

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