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 administered, 24% were overcorrected by more than -2.0 diopters. CONCLUSION: Cycloplegia is often necessary to obtain accurate autorefractor results.