Corneacare Logo
  • CorneaCare Logo
  • Shop
    • Shop All
    • Eyelid Hygiene
    • Eye Vitamins
    • Eye Drops
    • Eyecare Bundles
  • Education
    • Dry Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye 101
      • Causes & Diagnosis
      • Lifestyle
      • Treatment
      • Why It Matters
    • Eye Health & Wellness
    • Eye Glossary
    • Take the Quiz
  • Community
  • App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Contact us
  • Login
  • My Account
Login
Cart Icon 0
Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Education
  • Our App
  • Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Education
  • Our App
  • Take the Quiz

A-Z Glossary

Table of Contents

Refraction Eye Exam

Courtney Dryer, OD
Written byCourtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, ODOptometristCharlotte, NC

Bio

Dr. Courtney Dryer earned her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee in 2011. She opened her own practice Autarchic Spec Shop in 2013 in Charlotte, NC. She has had the privilege of writing for numerous optometric publications and serving in various industry capacities. In 2015, Vision Monday named her a rising star and one of the most influential women in optometry. Her optometric passions include practice management, specialty contact lenses, and dry eye management.

  • Last updated February 7, 2023

What is a Refraction Eye Exam?

A refraction is the part of an eye exam that measures one’s prescription for eyeglasses. The examination begins by assessing an individual’s distance vision and near vision.  In those over 40 years of age, a refraction is used to determine the power for reading glasses. If your uncorrected vision (without glasses or contact lenses) is normal, then the refraction power is zero (plano) and your vision should be 20/20 (6/6). 20/20 (6/6) is normal vision. A patient’s refractive error can also be called their “prescription.” The prescription is the combination of numbers that describe the lens powers needed for the patient to see clearly. A refraction is only one part of a comprehensive eye exam.

Key Takeaways

  • A refraction is the part of the eye exam that determines the prescription for glasses.
  • One sees 20/20 if they have normal vision with a refraction of plano (0).
  • A doctor presents the patient with a series of choices to determine the prescription, “1 or 2?”
You brush your teeth,
moisturize your skin,
what about your eyes?
Take the quiz
Eyecare Quiz on Cellphone

Understanding Refraction Eye Exam

The patient is asked to look through the phoropter and view the eye chart. The phoropter contains many lenses and is used to determine the lens combination that allows the individual to see 20/20 on the chart. The eye doctor will then ask if the chart appears more or less clear when different lenses are in place. The results depend on the patient response, but there is a system in place to ensure accurate results. This is the part of the eye exam where the patient is asked, “which is better 1 or 2?” 

Results of a Refraction Eye Exam

The result of a refractive eye exam can be myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism or a combination. A refraction is separate from an evaluation of eye health.

Myopia

Myopia or being nearsighted means one is unable to see in the distance. In a patient with myopia, the eye is longer than normal. When the light enters the eye, it falls in front of the retina. Patients with myopia need minus lenses in order to focus the light on the retina and see clearly in the distance.

Hyperopia

Hyperopia or being farsighted means one is unable to see at near or may have to work harder to see at near. In a patient with hyperopia, the eye is shorter than normal. When the light enters the eye, it falls behind the retina. Patients with hyperopia need plus lenses in order to focus the light on the retina and see clearly up close.

Presbyopia

Presbyopia is an age-related change in the lens and the ciliary body within the eye. The structures lose the ability to change shape resulting in the inability to focus on near objects up close. 

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is commonly described as the cornea being similar to an egg or football. The curves are of a different power in opposing meridians. Astigmatism can affect one’s vision at every distance resulting in a slight blur, halo or ghost images around letters and lights. 

What can’t a Refraction Eye Exam Diagnose?

A refraction cannot diagnose any ocular disease or pathology. It can tell an eye doctor if there is a reduction in vision and they use that information to look for a reason for the vision decline including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration or dry eye disease.

Is A Refraction Eye Exam Covered by Insurance?

Vision insurance may cover a refraction eye exam, but many medical insurances including Medicare do not cover a refraction eye exam. Patients will be billed for the refraction component of the eye exam.

Bibliography

  1. Debrowski, A. What is a refractive eye exam? Retrieved October 26, 2022 from https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/what-is-a-refractive-eye-exam/
  2. Refraction Test. Mount Sinai. Retrieved October 26, 2022 from: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/refraction-test
  3. Refractive Errors. National Eye Institute. Retrieved October 26, 2022 from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/refractive-errors

Related Terms

Loading...

Esotropia

is an eye misalignment where one eye is turned inward. The turn may be constant or intermittent

Scotopic Vision

refers to your eyes’ ability to see in low light levels

Pars Plana

is the posterior part of the ciliary body, located in the middle of the eye

Epithelial Ingrowth

occurs when epithelium cells abnormally grow below a corneal wound

Episclera

is a fibroelastic structure consisting of two layers joined together loosely. It is the white of the eye

Exotropia

is an eye misalignment (strabismus) where one eye is turned outward. The turn may be constant or intermittent

Related Articles

Loading...
  • Eye Health & Wellness

Eye Bag Surgery Gone Wrong

7 min read

Understand the complications of eye bag surgery gone wrong and how it can damage the function and health of your eyes.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Eye Health & Wellness

Sharp Stabbing Pain in Eye that Comes and Goes

7 min read

Find out what’s causing that sharp stabbing pain in your eye that comes and goes. And when to see a doctor!
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Eye Health & Wellness

A Black Spot in Vision of One Eye

7 min read

A black spot in the vision of one eye is probably a harmless floater, but there can be a more serious cause requiring treatment.
Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

Logo_Corneacare_White

    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Education
    • Community
    • App
    • Eye Glossary
    Menu
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Education
    • Community
    • App
    • Eye Glossary
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    • Education
    • Shop
    • Wholesale
    • Contact
    • Terms of service
    • Privacy policy
    • Shipping & Returns
    Instagram Facebook_Pink Youtube Twitter Tiktok
    Copyright – © 2023 CorneaCare, Inc. ⚡️ All rights reserved
    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

    Wholesale inquiry

    Please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

    20% OFF personalized, convenient and effective eyecare
    20% OFF personalized eyecare
    Take the quiz
    Take the quiz