How do optometrist refract outside of their exam room?

[Clovers]

Hi everyone,

I went to a free health faire for low income ppl who couldn't afford health care this past June and saw a booth for free eye exam. It was during the daytime in a baseball stadium. I didn't give it a second thought but now I wonder how do optometrist refract outside of their office. Is there such a thing as a movable machine use for refraction? I thought eye exams are usually done in the dark but that place was totally lighted.

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[orangezero]

A trial lens set is usually used. Lots of ways to do it. You can use retinoscopy to get an objective result and start the subjective refraction from there with the trial lenses. They also have portable autorefractors as well (although I hope they weren't prescribing from those...)

In fact, a lot of ODs that refract finish by showing the patient the difference over their old glasses, with trial lenses. Very similar..

They also have portable ophthalmic stands that can hold a phoropter. A refraction doesn't need to be done in the light and doesn't need to be done with cycloplegics.

 

[Opii]

Like above said. The most basic method... bring...

1. snellen chart (hang it yourself & measure accordingly)
2. trial lenses & frames
3. Retinoscope ( ret the pt, then remove your working distance 1.5, 2.0 etc)

If you or the organization you are with can afford it...

4. ret bars
5. retino max

 

[Schroder79]

There are a bunch of different tests that you can run to find a person's refraction. Walk away, AR, but I think almost everyone uses the Retinoscopy racks in screenings. Trial frames work too but they are inconvnient I think. I gues it depends on what type or service you are providing though. Loose lenses will give you a better axis reading. Now the prescription is harder to get but it works for a screening, some may use it to get paid as a service but I wouldn't.

Don't forget to take out working distance. 🙂

 

[orangezero]

I know a doc that worked for years in a hospital room with no phoropter. He did retinoscopy and then overrefracted with trial lenses. It does take a bit longer, and not the best for screenings.

I'm wondering, did they really call the "eye examinations" or were they more just screenings?

I also know of some ODs that do nursing home exams and other out of office exams where the phoropter is just not workable.

 

[POJO]

Hi everyone,

I went to a free health faire for low income ppl who couldn't afford health care this past June and saw a booth for free eye exam. It was during the daytime in a baseball stadium. I didn't give it a second thought but now I wonder how do optometrist refract outside of their office. Is there such a thing as a movable machine use for refraction? I thought eye exams are usually done in the dark but that place was totally lighted.

It's rather easy. Any optometrist who has practiced in a nursing home or has done a field optometry trip know this. The retinoscopic lens bar and a few cylinder lens will get your rather close to a refraction done in ideal conditions