Retinoscopy

Retinoscopy
Retinoscopy
Intervention

A retinoscope being used in conjunction with a trial frame and trial lenses in order to determine the patient's refractive error
MeSH D042262

Retinoscopy (Ret) is a technique to obtain an objective measurement of the refractive error of a patient's eyes. The examiner uses a retinoscope to shine light into the patient's eye and observes the reflection (reflex) off the patient's retina. While moving the streak or spot of light across the pupil the examiner observes the relative movement of the reflex then uses a phoropter or manually places lenses over the eye (using a trial frame and trial lenses) to "neutralize" the reflex.

Static retinoscopy is a type of retinoscopy used in determining a patient's refractive error. It relies on Foucault's principle, which states that the examiner should simulate optical infinity to obtain the correct refractive power. Hence, a power corresponding to the working distance is subtracted from the gross retinoscopy value to give the patient's refractive condition, the working distance lens being one which has a focal length of the examiner's distance from the patient (e.g. +2.00 dioptre lens for a 50 cm working distance). Myopes display an "against" reflex, which means that the direction of movement of light observed from the retina is a different direction to that in which the light beam is swept. Hyperopes, on the other hand, display a "with" movement, which means that the direction of movement of light observed from the retina is the same as that in which the light beam is swept.

Static retinoscopy is performed when the patient has relaxed accommodative status. This can be obtained by the patient viewing a distance target or by the use of cycloplegic drugs (where, for example, a child's lack of reliable fixation of the target can lead to fluctuations in accommodation and thus the results obtained). Dynamic retinoscopy is performed when the patient has active accommodation from viewing a near target.

Retinoscopy is particularly useful in prescribing corrective lenses for patients who are unable to undergo a subjective refraction that requires a judgement and response from the patient (such as children or those with severe intellectual disabilities or communication problems). In most tests however, it is used as a basis for further refinement by subjective refraction. It is also used to evaluate accommodative ability of the eye and detect latent hyperopia.

See also



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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Retinoscopy — Ret i*nos co*py, n. [Retina + scopy.] (Physiol.) The study of the retina of the eye by means of the ophthalmoscope. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • retinoscopy — [ret΄ n äs′kə pē] n. [< RETINA & SCOPY] a method for checking the proper refraction of the eye, in which the retina is illuminated with a retinoscope and observations are made of the reflected light rays retinoscopic [ret΄ nə skäp′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • retinoscopy — noun (plural pies) Date: 1884 observation of the retina of the eye especially to determine the state of refraction …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • retinoscopy — retinoscopic /ret n euh skop ik/, adj. retinoscopically, adv. retinoscopist, n. /ret n os keuh pee, ret n euh skoh pee/, n. Ophthalm. an objective method of determining the refractive error of an eye. [1880 85; RETIN(A) + O + SCOPY] * * * …   Universalium

  • retinoscopy — noun analysis of the refractive properties of the eye using a retinoscope; skiascopy …   Wiktionary

  • retinoscopy — A method of determining errors of refraction by illuminating the retina and observing the rays of light emerging from the eye. SYN: scotoscopy, shadow test, skiascopy. [retino + G. skopeo, to view] cylinder r. determination of sph …   Medical dictionary

  • retinoscopy — n. examination of the refractive capacity of the eye with a retinoscope (Ophthalmology) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • retinoscopy — ret·i·nos·co·py …   English syllables

  • retinoscopy — /rɛtəˈnɒskəpi/ (say retuh noskuhpee) noun (plural retinoscopies) an objective method of determining the refractive error of an eye. {retino (combining form representing retina) + scopy} –retinoscopic /rɛtənəˈskɒpɪk/ (say retuhnuh skopik),… …  

  • retinoscopy — ˌretənˈäskəpē noun ( es) Etymology: retin (II) + scopy : observation of the retina of the eye; specifically : a method of determining the state of refraction of the eye by illuminating the retina with a mirror and observing the direction of… …   Useful english dictionary

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