Gallery of Eye Examination Equipment

An examination room at an eye doctor's office usually consists of an exam chair, a phoropter, an eye chart, a slit lamp and a stool for the eye care practitioner.

A retinal camera is used to photograph the back of the eye, including the retina. It is used to document eye diseases. The camera produces a bright flash when a picture is taken.

A phoropter (or phoroptor) is an instrument used during an eye examination to measure refractive error and determine eyeglass prescriptions. Typically, the patient sits behind the phoropter and looks through it at an eye chart. The optometrist then changes lenses and other settings, while asking the patient for feedback on which settings give the best vision.

An ophthalmoscope is an instrument used for examining the interior structures of the eye, especially the retina, consisting of a mirror that reflects light into the eye and a central hole through which the eye is examined. A Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope (BIO) is worn on an eye doctor's head in order to have the use of both hands to examine the eyes.

A manual keratometer is used to determine how flat or steep the cornea is. It is often used to measure and diagnose conditions such as astigmatism, keratoconus, corneal scarring and corneal distortion. A keratometer is commonly used to fit contact lenses as well.

An autorefractor is a machine used to measure a person's refractive error and prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. This is achieved by measuring how light is changed as it enters a person's eye. The automated refraction technique is quick, simple and painless. The patient takes a seat and places their chin on a rest. One eye at a time, they look into the machine at a picture inside. The picture moves in and out of focus as the machine takes readings to determine when the image is on the retina. Several readings are taken which the machine averages to form a prescription. No feedback is required from the patient during this process.

A slit lamp is a microscope with a light attached that allows the doctor to closely examine the eye. This instrument is used to view structures of the eye such as the cornea, iris, and lens. However, with special lenses, it is possible to examine the back of the eye as well. A slit lamp allows the practitioner to have an amazing view of the inside of your eyes.

A tonometer is used to measure the pressure of the eye. The test is used to help detect glaucoma. Numbing drops are used for the type of tonometer that actually touches the eye. Some doctors use the air-puff tonometer in which no numbing drops are needed. A tonometer measures the production of aqueous humor, the liquid found inside the eye, and the rate at which it drains into the tissue surrounding the cornea.

A lensometer is an instrument used to measure the power of an existing lens. An optician uses a lensometer to determine the prescription of a patient's eyeglasses.

A retinoscope is used to shine light into a patient's eye for an eye doctor to observe the reflection off the retina. The light is moved back and forth across the pupil. A retinoscope is especially useful in prescribing corrective lenses for patients who are unable to give oral feedback to the eye doctor. It is also useful for determining how well the eyes work together, or accommodate, to see clearly.

A direct ophthalmoscope is a hand-held instrument used for examining the interior structures of the eye, especially the retina. It consists of a mirror that reflects light into the eye and a central hole through which the eye is examined.

In this image, the ophthalmoscope is at the top of the photo with the small dial and the retinoscope is at the bottom.