A non-verbal determination of refractive error is known as what?

Objective refraction refers to a non-verbal determination of refractive error, which involves measurements taken without the patient's subjective input about their vision. In this process, tools such as retinoscopes or automated optometry instruments are used to assess how light is refracted by the eye. This allows practitioners to objectively determine the necessary lenses to correct refractive errors, such as myopia or hyperopia.

In contrast, subjective refraction relies on the patient's feedback regarding the clarity of their vision with different lens options. Visual acuity testing measures the sharpness of vision and does not directly assess refractive error through objective measurements. Keratometry specifically measures the curvature of the cornea, rather than evaluating overall refractive error as a whole. Therefore, the correct understanding of objective refraction is crucial in providing accurate and effective vision correction for patients.