Autorefractor
Autorefractor
Autorefractor (pronounced: auto-refractor) is a computer-controlled machine used in optometry and ophthalmology to provide an objective measurement of a person's refractive error and prescription for glasses or contact lenses. This is a quick, precise, and safe method to determine whether a person has normal vision or needs corrective lenses.
Etymology
The term "autorefractor" comes from the prefix "auto-", meaning self, and "refractor", which refers to a device that measures the refractive error of the eye. The term was first used in the late 20th century, with the development of automated technology in the field of optometry.
Function
An autorefractor works by shining a light into the eye and measuring the light that bounces back. The machine uses this information to determine the shape and size of the eye and how it processes light, which allows it to calculate the refractive error. The results from an autorefractor are used as a starting point to determine the individual's prescription.
Related Terms
- Refractive error: A problem with the eye's ability to accurately focus light, causing blurred vision.
- Optometry: The healthcare profession concerned with the eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans.
- Ophthalmology: The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
- Prescription (optometry): A health-care related part that, in the case of eyeglasses or contact lenses, orders a corrective lens to be made and fitted to the wearer.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autorefractor
- Wikipedia's article - Autorefractor
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