Your eye prescription is measured by determining the refractive error present in your vision using a series of lenses.
The Process of Measuring Your Prescription
The measurement of your prescription generally involves the following steps, based on the reference information:
- Refractive Error Determination: Your doctor first determines if you have a refractive error (like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism).
- Lens Evaluation: Once a refractive error is identified, your doctor calculates your optical prescription as you look through different lenses.
- Phoropter Use: You'll look through a phoropter. This is an instrument placed in front of your eyes while you're seated in the examination chair. The doctor will have you look through a series of lenses within the phoropter.
- Subjective Feedback: You'll provide feedback to your doctor about which lenses provide the clearest vision. This feedback helps refine the prescription measurement.
In essence, measuring your prescription involves a combination of objective assessment (using instruments like the phoropter) and subjective feedback from you to determine the lens power needed to correct your vision.
