Main Menu Back to Eye Exams Adaptive Equipment Braille Eye Disorders Eye Surgery History News Research & Clinical Studies Eye Diagram Glossary   Our Other Sites Bookstore Directory Other Resources Statistics Vision Health Resources Search All Sites Site Map Resource Links Third Party Links Eye Exams - Refraction Test The refraction test is an eye exam that measures a person's ability to see an object at a specific distance. This test is performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. You sit in a chair that has a special device called a phoropter attached to it and look through the phoropter at an eye chart approximately 20 feet away. The phoropter contains lenses of different strengths that can be moved into view. The eye doctor will ask if the chart appears more or less clear with the lenses that are in place. The eye doctor can determine if you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism (asymmetrical cornea), or presbyopia (inability to focus on objects that are close to you). The extent of vision difficulty can be determined. The information obtained from a refraction test allows the prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses to be correct for each person. A phoroptor measures the prescription for corrective lenses. Image courtesy of the National Eye Institute For more information visit MEDLINEplus

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