Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

What type of refractometry does not require patient response?

1. Subjective

2. Objective

3. Dynamic

4. Kinematic

The correct answer is: Objective

Refractometry refers to the methods used to measure the refractive error of the eye to determine the correct prescription for lenses. Objective refractometry is a type of refractometry that does not depend on the patient’s responses or subjective interpretation. Instead, it uses instruments to gather data about how light enters the eye and is refracted by the eye's optical components. In objective refractometry, devices such as autorefraction or wavefront aberrometry are utilized, which take measurements without needing the patient to provide feedback or indicate when they see something clearly. This contrasts with subjective refractometry, where the patient must actively participate and provide information about their vision, such as indicating which lens makes letters clearer. Dynamic and kinematic are not standard classifications of refractometry related to the measurement of refractive error and do not apply in the same context as objective and subjective methods. Therefore, objective refractometry stands out as the correct answer because it allows for precise measurements to be conducted independently of patient input, making it more efficient in certain clinical settings.