Appendix E: Refraction equipment

Objective refraction Subjective refraction

Picture of an eye professional using a retinoscope to look at a patient's eyes

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Picture of an autorefractor with a front view and side view

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picture of a universal frame and trial lenses

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Picture of a phoropter

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Retinoscope Autorefractor Universal frame with trial lenses Phoropter
The eye professional shines a light into the patient’s eye and sees how the light is reflected from the retina.158 Automated machine which calculates the refractive error by detecting how the patient’s eye influences infrared radiation sent into the eye.159 The eye professional inserts trial lenses into a frame that allows for variable adjustments such as interpupillary distance or side length. Mechanical device combining many switchable lenses into a single system which allows the eye professional to quickly alternate lenses until the best is found.160
Around USD300-USD500 Around USD10,000- USD15,000 Around USD300- USD700 Around USD1,000-USD3,000

  1. Cordero, I. Understanding and looking after a retinoscope and trial lens set. Community Eye Health; 2017.↩︎

  2. Keirl, A, Christie, C. Clinical optics and refraction: a guide for optometrists, contact lens opticians and dispensing opticians. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2007.↩︎

  3. Durr, NJ, Dave, SR, Lage, E, Marcos, S, Thorn, F, Lim, D. From unseen to seen: tackling the global burden of uncorrected refractive errors. Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 2014;16(1):131-153.↩︎