What are the sequence of events (steps) when determining refractive error during an eye exam?
Step 1
-Measure Vision and VA (with old Rx if Px has one)
Step 2
-Objective refraction (retinoscopy/autorefractor)
-Measure VA with final ret result
Step 3
-Subjective refraction
-Refine the sphere
-Refine the cylinder axis then cylinder power
-May need to refine the sphere once more
-Measure VA with new Rx
What is Best Vision Sphere (BMS)?
Sphere of maximum plus or minimum minus power which gives the best VA WITHOUT ANY CYLINDER
How much reduction would 0.5 dioptres of Astigmatism give?
1 line reduction
So… 1 diopter of Astigmatism would give a 2 line reduction
Formula to calculate BMS?
BMS = sphere + (1/2 x cylinder)
What is Best Vision Sphere (BVS)?
It is the sphere of maximum plus or minimum minus power which gives best VA when a cylinder is in the trial frame
NOTE : the cylinder can be correct or incorrect
Why is over-minussing bad for myopes?
Over-minussing is a problem for myopes that have accommodation as too much -ve power simulates hyperopia (rays of light converge to a point behind the retina), but a Px that has accommodation can use their accommodation to converge the rays of light to a point on the retina so their VA may be as good with a higher -ve power compared to a more +ve power
NOTE : for older Px’s who don’t have accommodation, introducing the wrong sign lens power is ok as their VA will be worse
Why is over-plussing bad for hyperopes?
Over-plussing may be a problem if the Px’s eye is habitually accommodating as it might be difficult to get the Px’s accommodation to relax
What power lens should we give to myopes?
Minimum minus
What power lens should we give to hyperopes?
Maximum plus
What is Step 1 of Refining The Sphere?
-Determine VA before you offer any sphere (or refine the current sphere)
-DIrect the Px’s attention to the smallest line of letters they can see
What is Step 2 of Refining The Sphere?
-Offer both +0.50DS and -0.50DS
-ALWAYS OFFER PLUS BEFORE MINUS
-Ask the Px “is it better with or without?” and make a mental note of what the Px said
“with” - as you introduce the lens
“without” - as you remove the lens
-The -0.50DS lens should be offered for a shorter period of time than +0.50DS (2 seconds VS 4 seconds)
Why should you offer the -0.50DS lens for a shorter period of time compared to the +0.50DS lens?
-ve lenses simulate hyperopia and will use the Px’s accommodation
It’s faster to switch on accommodation than switching it off
What if the Px is hesitant or if their responses are contradicting?
Increase the power to ±0.75DS
If the same thing happens increase the power ±1.00DS
REDUCE STEP SIZE DOWN TO ±0.50DS ASAP
What is Step 3 of Refining The Sphere?
Interpret the patient’s response, make appropriate decision and take this action
-If the Px says “it’s better with” the +0.50DS, offer the full +0.50DS
-But if the Px says “it’s the same” only offer +0.25DS
-If the Px says “it’s better with”, only offer the full -0.50DS if VA improves by a line (3 letters or more)
-If the Px says “it’s the same”, DO NOT OFFER MINUS POWER
-Same procedure with ±0.75DS or ±1.00DS
Step 3 of Refining The Sphere with -0.75DS
1 line improvement = offer -0.25DS
2 line improvement = offer -0.50DS
3 line improvement = offer full -0.75DS
So… 4 lines of improvement would be needed to offer the full -1.00DS
What is Step 4 of Refining The Sphere?
-Repeat steps 1-3
-If you added +ve power in Step 3, now only offer +ve power until VA measurements become worse
-If you added -ve power in Step 3, now only offer -ve power until there is no further improvement in VA measurements
When should you stop adding +ve power?
Keep adding +ve power until VA measurements become worse
When should you stop adding -ve power?
Keep adding -ve power until there is no further improvement in VA measurements
What is Step 5 of Refining The Sphere?
Endpoint for BMS/BVS determination
-Now switch to the weakest power flippers (±0.25DS)
-Offer both powers (asking same questions as before and holding it in place for the same time as before)
-Endpoint is reached when :
+0.25DS produces blur (Px says “it’s worse”)
-0.25DS makes no difference (or makes VA worse)
What is Step 6 of Refining The Sphere?
-Measure VA with BMS/BVS and proceed to address any possible astigmatism (i.e. introduce a cyl if none exists, or refine the one that already exists e.g. from retinoscopy)
Why do we use the JCC?
For the subjective correction of Astigmatism or refinement of the cylinder axis and cylinder power already in place from retinoscopy/autorefractor
What is the aim of using the JCC?
To try and reduce the Interval of Sturm
What is the JCC?
A crossed cylindrical lens
+ve and -ve cylinders combined with their axis at 90 degrees from each other
How do you find the axis of the -ve cyl?
Look at the red markings
Can be a different colour bu usually red