What does the term "refraction" refer to in eye exams?

Refraction in eye exams specifically refers to the process of determining the correct lens prescription for an individual. This procedure involves assessing how light rays bend as they pass through the eye to achieve a focused image on the retina. During a refraction test, an eye care professional will typically use various lenses to determine the prescription that best corrects the patient’s vision. This is crucial for identifying nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, ensuring that patients receive the optimal lenses needed to enhance their visual clarity.

Other processes mentioned, such as measuring eye pressure, checking peripheral vision, and evaluating eye health, play vital roles in comprehensive eye care but are distinct from the specific function of refraction. Eye pressure measurement can help detect glaucoma, peripheral vision checks assess the comprehensive field of vision, and health evaluations focus on the overall condition of the eye. Each serves a different purpose within an eye examination, but refraction is focused exclusively on determining the lens prescription.