What is the primary use of a phoropter?

A phoropter is primarily used in vision testing to determine the prescription strength for glasses or contact lenses. During an eye exam, it allows the eye care professional to systematically present various lenses in front of the patient’s eyes, facilitating the identification of the most suitable corrective lenses. The device helps in assessing which combination of lenses provides the clearest vision, thereby establishing the correct prescription for the patient’s needs.

Choosing between different lenses helps optimize visual clarity and comfort, which is vital for effective vision correction. The comprehensive testing provided by a phoropter is a critical part of determining how well a patient sees and ensuring they receive the appropriate vision correction.

The other options, while related to eye care, do not accurately represent the primary function of the phoropter. For example, measuring eye pressure is associated with tools like tonometers, analyzing eye color does not require specialized equipment like a phoropter, and fitting contact lenses involves measurements and assessments that may require different devices or techniques.