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Comparison of Agreement and Accuracy using Binocular Wavefront Optometer with Autorefractor and Phoropter
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A new low-cost, compact, auto-phoropter for refractive assessment in developing countries.
Babak Amirsolaimani1, Gholam Peyman2, Jim Schwiegerling2
1College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA. babak@optics.arizona.edu.
Scientific Reports
|October 27, 2017
Summary
This study presents a novel, portable automatic phoropter that measures refractive error without patient feedback. This innovation offers rapid, accurate eye diagnostics, especially beneficial for underserved populations.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optical Engineering
- Biomedical Devices
Background:
- Traditional phoropters require patient feedback for refractive error measurement.
- Current methods can be time-consuming and require skilled personnel.
- Accessibility to advanced eye diagnostics is limited in many regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a portable automatic phoropter.
- To eliminate the need for patient feedback in refractive error assessment.
- To enable unsupervised, rapid eye diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three tunable-focus fluidic lenses and holographic optical elements.
- Employed a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to measure Zernike values of the eye's wavefront.
- Integrated servo motor actuated diaphragm pumps for lens power control.
Main Results:
- Achieved automatic refractive error measurement and prescription generation.
- Demonstrated a spherical and cylindrical correction range of -10 to +10 diopters.
- Completed measurements in under 15 seconds with 0.1 diopter increments.
Conclusions:
- The developed automatic phoropter provides accurate, rapid eye diagnostics.
- This technology can significantly improve refractive error screening in large populations.
- It holds particular promise for developing countries with limited healthcare facilities.
