Gallery of Eye Examination Equipment

Exam Room

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.

You’ll probably spend most of your time looking through the phoropter, the instrument fitted with various lenses, and judge whether they’re “good,” “better” or “the same.”

Phoropter

The phoropter is a rather imposing but ultimately friendly device that measures refraction, or how a lens should be curved and shaped to correct your vision.

It determines eyeglass prescriptions, as well as if you have vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

Retinal Camera

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

Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope

An ophthalmoscope is an 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.

Meanwhile, the eye doctor wears a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO) on their head to have the use of both hands to examine the patient’s eyes.

Manual Keratometer

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 can be invaluable for finding an ideal fit for people who wear contact lenses.

Autorefractor

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 appears on the retina. Several readings are taken, which the machine averages to form a prescription.

Slit Lamp

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 the structures of the eye, such as the cornea, iris, and lens.

With special lenses, it is possible to examine the back of the eye as well. A slit lamp gives the eye practitioner an amazing view of the inside of the eyes.

Tonometer

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 an air-puff tonometer, for 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.

Lensometer

A lensometer measures the power of an existing lens. An optician uses a lensometer to determine the prescription of a patient’s current eyeglasses.

Sometimes, it can serve as a good baseline for a new prescription. It can also be used to show how much a prescription has changed since the last doctor’s visit.

Retinoscope and Direct Ophthalmoscope

A retinoscope is used to shine light into a patient’s eye for an eye doctor to observe the reflection off the retina. The doctor moves the light 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 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.