Brief
Course Description

Visual
Acuity Exam

This
course provides an overview of the visual acuity examination. The visual
acuity exam is comprised of two main components: refractometry, a multifaceted
measurement of refractive errors with a variety of specific instruments
and techniques, and clinical judgement, which is required to prescribe
appropriate optical correction.

Ophthalmic
personnel are often responsible for many of the measurements involved
in refractometry which can assist the optometrist or ophthalmologist
in evaluating the findings, assessing related patient needs, and prescribing
the appropriate correction. While the visual acuity exam is essential
in helping to assess the functional behavior and anatomic status of
the eye, in itself, it only comprises a portion of a comprehensive medical
eye examination.

The course begins with an overview of the components of refraction:
retinoscopy, refinement, and binocular balancing. The techniques used
in streak retinoscopy are described and the reflexes produced by the
streak retinoscope are illustrated. The use of the trial frame and phoroptor
for subjective refinement is described. The course goes on to cover
the basic techniques employed in performing refractometry which include
the procedures used in the distance acuity test, the pinhole acuity
test and the near acuity test.