Autorefraktometria

Autorefraktometria is an objective method used in optometry and ophthalmology to measure a person's refractive error. A refractive error, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism, occurs when the eye does not focus light correctly onto the retina, leading to blurry vision. Autorefractors are automated instruments that analyze how light is reflected back from the patient's eye after it has passed through it.

The process involves the patient looking into a device that projects a target, such as a light or a picture. The autorefractor then emits infrared light into the eye and measures the reflected light. By analyzing the patterns and amount of light reflected, the device can calculate the eye's refractive power. This provides an objective measurement of the prescription needed to correct vision.

Autorefraktometria is a quick and non-invasive procedure, often performed as a preliminary step before a more detailed eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The results from an autorefractor serve as a starting point for determining the final prescription, which is then fine-tuned through subjective refraction, where the patient communicates their visual experience with different lenses. While autorefractors are highly useful, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam, which assesses overall eye health and other visual functions.