[Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)] SGS 2014 OPHTHALMIC OPTICS

LAB 1: INTRODUCTION TO SPHERICAL LENSES

1.1: OPTICAL ELEMENTS OF LENSES

OBJECTIVES:
1. To identify the types of spherical lenses
-materials
-characteristics
2. To determine lens curvature and thickness
3. To determine the power of lens

APPARATUS:
Set of lenses
Cross-line chart
Trial lens set
Non-permanent marker
Lens measure
Vernier calliper
Ruler

PROCEDURES:
1. Take a set of lenses provided.
2. For each lens, identify types of material and surface.
3. By using lens measure, measure the lens curvature.
4. By using Vernier calliper, measure the lens thickness.
5. Hold the lens at about arm’s length in front of the cross-line chart, so that the chart
can be seen.
6. Do the following test:
i. Transverse test:
Move the lens and noting the direction of movement (with/against movement).

Plus lens Minus lens Optical centre

ii. Rotation test:

Rotate the lens to detect any scissors motion seen and noting its direction. Draw a
cylinder axis on the lens when the image of line is continuous within and outside
the lens.

Scissors movement

7. Record the findings in the table provided.

Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences | Clinical Laboratory Manual

[Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)] SGS 2014 OPHTHALMIC OPTICS

RECORD FORM??

Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences | Clinical Laboratory Manual

[Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)] SGS 2014 OPHTHALMIC OPTICS

LAB 1.2: MEASUREMENT OF LENS POWER

1.2.1: NEUTRALIZATION
1.2.2: FOCIMETER

OBJECTIVE:
1. To correctly measure the power of lens by using trial lens set
2. To correctly measure the power of lens by using focimeter

APPARATUS:
Set of lenses
Cross-line chart
Trial lens set
Non-permanent marker
Ruler
Focimeter

PROCEDURES:
1.2.1 HAND NEUTRALIZATION:
1. Take a set of lenses provided.
2. Hold the lens at about arm’s length in front of the cross-line chart, so that the chart
can be seen.
3. Do the following test:
iii. Transverse test:
Move the lens and noting the direction of movement (with/against movement).

Plus lens Minus lens Optical centre

iv. Rotation test:

Rotate the lens to detect any scissors motion seen and noting its direction. Draw a
cylinder axis on the lens when the image of line is continuous within and outside
the lens.

Scissors movement

4. Based on the known movements, neutralise the lens with a trial lens.
5. Determine the power of the lens.
6. Record the findings in the table provided.

1.2.2 FOCIMETER:
Instrument Preparation:
1. Place the instrument on the working table and adjust the inclination so that the
measurement can be made comfortably.
2. Connect with the mains.

Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences | Clinical Laboratory Manual

[Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)] SGS 2014 OPHTHALMIC OPTICS

3. Focus the eyepieces by rotating the eyepiece cover counterclockwise, then slowly to
clockwise until the eyepiece reticule first come into sharp focus.
4. Rotate the power wheel to regulate the scale interval to zero position. Observe the
green division line of marker reticule in the view field of the eyepiece. The green
dividing line should now be clearest.

Lens Preparation:
Gently wipe lens with a clean lens cloth to remove debris/dusts/oils from the lens surface
which may interrupting the appearance of illuminated target in the measurement later.

Step by Step Procedures:

1. Place the lens on the objective lens bearing seat with the front of the lens facing
upward.
2. Observe the lens through the eyepiece and adjust the lens so that the marker reticule
is placed in the middle of the eyepiece reticule (if the lens is high powered, you may
need to turn the power wheel to bring the marker reticule into focus before it can be
centred).
3. Lightly release the lens pressing unit so that the pressing feet press the lens lightly.
4. To obtain the power of the sphere, turn the power wheel to bring the marker reticule
into focus.
i. If the entire marker reticule is focused at the same time, the lens is a sphere
(Figure 1). Read the power scale and record it as the sphere power.

a) b)

ii.
Figure 1: The entire marker reticule is simultaneously in focus.
(a) Focimeter using lines target. (b) Focimeter using circle-of-dots target.

5. To mark the lens optical centre, make sure the marker reticule is centred in the
eyepiece reticule and dot the lens using the marking device.
6. Measure the power at the marked optical centres.
7. Record the findings in the table provided.

RECORD FORM??

QUESTIONS:

1. By comparing the above methods, which is the most accurate in determining lens
focal power? State your reason(s).

2. State the possible reason(s) for the following common problems found in focimetry:
i. Cannot see eyepiece reticule when adjusting the eyepiece readings.
ii. Green marking image cannot be seen.
iii. Green marking image cannot be seen clearly.
iv. Deviation of the centre of the green marking image.
v. Translocation of the printing unit.

Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences | Clinical Laboratory Manual

[Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)] SGS 2014 OPHTHALMIC OPTICS

Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences | Clinical Laboratory Manual

[Bachelor of Optometry (Hons)] SGS 2014 OPHTHALMIC OPTICS

1.3: DECENTRATION & PRISMATIC EFFECT

OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine prismatic effect of lenses by using tangent scale.
2. To determine the effect of lens decentration by using Prentice’s Rule formula, P = cF

APPARATUS:
Set of lenses
Tangent scale
Non-permanent marker
Ruler

PROCEDURES:
1. Take a set of lenses with known power, marked ‘X’ provided.
2. For each lens, mark the optical centre (OC) of the lens and draw the horizontal (AB)
and vertical lines (CD) through the optical centre, which perpendicular to each other
(Figure 1(a)).
3. Draw line through ‘X’ parallel to the AB and CD lines (Figure 1(b)).
4. Hold the lens at about arm’s length, at about 30 cm from the tangent scale.
5. Align the ‘X’ through the centre of tangent scale. Observe and estimate the image
displacement at horizontal and vertical. Record your findings.
6. Measure the distances ‘c’ between ‘X’ and AB, ‘X’ and CD lines.
7. Calculate the prismatic effect by using Prentice’s Rule formula.

(a) (b)
C C

A X OC
B A X B

D D
Figure 1: Line drawing: (a) AB and CD lines (b) ‘X’ lines

RECORD FORM??

Department of Optometry & Visual Sciences | Clinical Laboratory Manual