The effect of off-the-visual-axis retinoscopy on objective refractive measurement

Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 Jun;137(6):1101-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.02.012.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of off-axis retinoscopy on objective refractive measurement.

Design: Prospective experimental study.

Methods: Eight volunteers underwent cycloplegic retinoscopy of their right eye on-the-visual-axis, and 5, 10, 15, and 20 degrees off-the-visual-axis in adduction. A single masked examiner performed all retinoscopy with random order of the patient and axis refracted.

Results: The average spherical retinoscopic value at 0, 5,10,15, and 20 degrees of off-axis alignment was -0.40, -0.90, -1.00, -1.38, and -1.80 diopters, respectively. The average spherical equivalent retinoscopic value obtained for each of the above positions of eye alignment was -0.02, -0.59, -0.45, -0.64, and -0.98 diopters, respectively. The induced cylinder power increased by an average of 3% for each degree of off-axis retinoscopy, though the axis of the cylinder was not predictable.

Conclusion: Objective refractive measurement by retinoscopy is significantly altered by off-the visual-axis retinoscopy. The induced error may be clinically important even with small degrees of eccentricity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cyclopentolate / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Mydriatics / administration & dosage
  • Phenylephrine / administration & dosage
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pupil / drug effects
  • Refraction, Ocular
  • Refractive Errors / diagnosis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retinoscopy / standards*
  • Tropicamide / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Mydriatics
  • Phenylephrine
  • Cyclopentolate
  • Tropicamide