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What is it? |
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Refraction test is an eye examination that measures a person prescription for eye glasses and contact lenses. |
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What is it done for? |
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It is done as a part of routine eye examination to determine if a person has normal vision or is having refractive error (hypermetropia,myopia and astigmatism). |
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How is it done? |
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It is done in two ways
1- Manual Refraction that is with retinoscope
2- Automated Refraction that is with automated refractometer.
It is done in two forms.
a- Dry refraction that is without drops.
b- Wet refraction that is with pupil dilator drops. |
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What are the benefits? |
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When a person complains of blurred vision this test helps to determine the extent of poor vision. It can also be done in monitoring a person who is being treated for a particular eye disease. It is used to measure the degree of hypermetropia, myopia and astigmatism. |
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What are the limitations? |
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Blurred vision, eye redness, irritation and watering and fluctuations in blood sugar levels. |
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How much time is taken? |
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For dry refraction 20 minutes are required. For wet refraction 1 hrs is required. |
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When is to be repeated? |
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Normally 6 months to 1 year is advised for routine eye examination provided patient is not suffering from any eye disease which requires early eye examination. |
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What are other alternative tests? |
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Eye test and vision screening test. |
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What is the expense? |
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The cost may vary from one hospital to the other. |
