Refraction Testing
Accurate prescription measurements that bring your vision into sharp focus. Quick, painless, and essential.
Virdi Eye Clinic
🔬 Precision Refraction Testing
🔒 Your info is private and used only to contact you.
Understanding
Refraction
A refraction is the portion of a comprehensive eye exam that measures your exact eyeglass or contact lens prescription. It determines how your eyes focus light and helps your doctor find the lens power that gives you the clearest, most comfortable vision.
What Are
Refractive Errors?
Refractive errors occur when your eye cannot focus light precisely on the retina, causing objects to appear blurry, distorted, or out of focus. The most common types include:
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Trouble focusing on nearby objects
Astigmatism
Distorted vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens
Presbyopia
Age-related loss of near vision flexibility, usually starting in the 40s
What Is a
Refraction?
During the refraction test, your eye care provider places a special instrument called a phoropter in front of your eyes. You'll look at an eye chart while the doctor changes different lens options, asking questions like "Which is clearer — 1 or 2?"
Your answers guide the doctor in fine-tuning your prescription to match your visual needs. The result is a precise prescription that provides the clearest, most comfortable vision possible.
A refraction is quick, painless, and essential for keeping your vision sharp and comfortable.
What Does a Refraction
Measure?
A refraction determines three key parts of your prescription. Together, these measurements create the unique prescription that brings your vision into sharp focus.
Sphere (SPH)
The main correction for nearsightedness or farsightedness
Cylinder (CYL)
The amount of correction needed for astigmatism
Axis
The direction of the astigmatism correction
Why It's
Important
Even small changes in your prescription can affect how clearly and comfortably you see. A manifest refraction helps your doctor:
- ✓Detect changes in vision early
- ✓Update your glasses or contact lenses accurately
- ✓Evaluate how your eyes are focusing after surgery or treatment
- ✓Differentiate between vision changes caused by refractive error versus other eye conditions
Because vision can fluctuate with age, health, or medication use, a refraction is often performed at every comprehensive eye exam.
Objective vs.
Manifest Refraction
Objective Refraction
Uses automated or instrument-based testing (like an autorefractor) that doesn't rely on your responses. Provides an initial measurement quickly and accurately.
Manifest Refraction
Uses your feedback to refine and confirm the final prescription. Your responses guide the doctor in fine-tuning the prescription for maximum clarity and comfort.
Both methods work together to give the most accurate result and ensure your prescription is perfectly tailored to your visual needs.
Ready to See
More Clearly?
Schedule your comprehensive eye exam at Virdi Eye Clinic. Our experienced doctors use advanced technology and careful precision to ensure your prescription provides the clearest vision possible.