What Is Myopia?
8. Diagnosis
Testing for myopia is done through several procedures. To test for visual acuity, you will be asked to identify letters on a distance chart. The results of this test are written as fractions, such as 20/40, where the top fraction represents the distance at which the test is performed, 20 feet, and the lower figure is the smallest letter size read.
To evaluate the focusing power of your eye, the optometrist uses a device called a phoropter. This can be done manually, where the doctor places a series of lenses in front of your eye and uses a retinoscope to measure how they focus light. The procedure can also be done using a device that automates this process. Your responses from the test are then used to determine the lenses that would give you the clearest vision.
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