Accuracy and accommodation capability of a handheld autorefractor

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of measurement by the Nikon Retinomax handheld autorefractor and its ability to relax accommodation. Setting: Pediatric Section, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mainz, Germany. Methods: To perform a series of comparative measurements, autorefractor readings were obtained on healthy young adults (students) and on children aged 2 to 12 years. The autorefractor readings were compared with subjective refractions of the young adults and with cycloplegic retinoscopy of the children. Results: In adults, the accuracy of the handheld autorefractor measurements was comparable to that of conventional tabletop autorefractors. In children, the autorefractor measurements performed under cycloplegia were reliable; when cycloplegic agents were not 2.0 diopters. Conclusion: Cycloplegia is often necessary to obtain accurate autorefractor results. J Cataract Refract Surg 70 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.