retinoszkópos

Retinoszkópos is a Hungarian term that translates to "retinoscope" in English. A retinoscope is a handheld instrument used by eye care professionals to measure a person's refractive error. This is essentially the "prescription" needed to correct their vision.

The process of retinoscopy involves projecting a beam of light into the patient's eye and observing the movement of the light reflex on the retina. By moving the retinoscope across the pupil, the examiner can determine the direction and speed of the reflex. This information is then used to deduce whether the patient is nearsighted (myopic), farsighted (hyperopic), or has astigmatism.

The examiner then introduces lenses of varying strengths into a trial frame or a phoropter in front of the patient's eye until the reflex movement is neutralized. This neutralization point indicates the lens power that corrects the refractive error. Retinoscopy is considered an objective method of refraction because it does not rely on the patient's subjective responses, making it particularly useful for examining young children, individuals with communication difficulties, or when subjective responses are unreliable. While advancements in autorefractors exist, retinoscopy remains a valuable and fundamental tool in optometry and ophthalmology.