1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Vision

Autorefractor

From Troy Bedinghaus, O.D., About.com

Updated: July 13, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

AutorefractorTroy Bedinghaus
An autorefractor takes a quick reading of your visual acuity.
An autorefractor is a machine used to measure a person's refractive error and prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a person's eye. The automated refraction technique is quick, simple and painless. The patient takes a seat and places their chin on a rest. One eye at a time, they look into the machine at a picture inside. The picture moves in and out of focus as the machine takes readings to determine when the image is on the retina. Several readings are taken which the machine averages to form a prescription. No feedback is required from the patient during this process.
About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Vision
  4. Healthy Eyes
  5. Auto Refractor

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.