Ophthalmic Education:

Principles and Guidelines of a Curriculum for Education of the Ophthalmic Specialist: Chapter 3. Retinoscopy and Refraction

On this page:

• Basic Level Goals: PGY-2
  
  
• Standard Level Goals: PGY-3
  
  
• Advanced Level Goals: PGY-4

General Educational Objectives:

1. Identify the principles and indications for retinoscopy.
   
   
2. Perform the technique of retinoscopy.
   
   
3. Identify media opacities with retinoscopy.
   
   
4. Perform an integrated refraction based upon retinoscopic results.

Basic Level Goals: PGY-2

1. Describe the major types of refractive errors.
   
   
2. Describe basic ophthalmic optics and optical principles of refraction and retinoscopy.
   
   
3. Perform retinoscopy for detecting simple refractive errors.
   
   
4. Describe the indications for and use trial lenses or a phoropter for simple refractive error.
   
   
5. Perform objective and subjective refraction techniques for simple refractive error.
   
   
6. Perform elementary refraction techniques (e.g., for myopia, hyperopia, near-vision add).
   
   
7. Describe the basic principles of a keratometer.

Standard Level Goals: PGY-3

1. Describe more complex types of refractive errors, including postoperative refractive errors.
   
   
2. Perform more advanced refraction techniques (e.g., astigmatism, complex refractions, asymmetric accommodative add).
   
   
3. Describe the more advanced ophthalmic optics and optical principles of refraction and retinoscopy (e.g., postkeratoplasty, post-cataract extraction).
   
   
4. Perform objective and subjective refraction techniques for more complex refractive errors, including astigmatism and postoperative refractive error.
   
   
5. Perform more advanced techniques of retinoscopy for detecting simple and complex refractive error.
   
   
6. Describe and use more advanced techniques using trial lenses or the phoropter for more complex refractive errors, including modification and refinement of subjective manifest refractive error and more complex refractive errors (e.g., advanced and irregular astigmatism, vertex distance).
   
   
7. Use the keratometer for detection of more advanced refractive error.

Advanced Level Goals: PGY-4

1. Describe the most complex types of refractive errors, including postoperative refractive errors, postkeratoplasty, and refractive surgery.
   
   
2. Perform the most advanced refraction techniques (e.g., irregular astigmatism, pre- and post-refractive surgery).
   
   
3. Describe the most advanced ophthalmic optics and optical principles of refraction and retinoscopy, including higher order aberrations.
   
   
4. Utilize the most advanced ophthalmic optics and optical principles for refraction and retinoscopy, including higher order aberrations.
   
   
5. Perform objective and subjective refraction techniques in the most complex refractive error,including astigmatism and postoperative refractive error.
   
   
6. Perform the most advanced techniques using trial lenses or the phoropter for more complex refractive errors, including modification and refinement of subjective manifest refractive error, cycloplegic retinoscopy and refraction, and post-cycloplegic refraction, irregular astigmatism, post-keratoplasty, and refractive surgery cases.
   
   
7. Use the keratometer for detection of subtle or complex advanced refractive error.
   
   
8. Use more advanced refraction instruments and techniques (e.g., distometer, automated refractor, automated corneal topography).

Next: Chapter 4. Cataract and Lens

Also see: Table of Contents of the Principles and Guidelines of a Curriculum for Education of the Ophthalmic Specialist