Accuracy measurement of an at-home refraction measurement device
Abstract
An investigation of the accuracy and reproducibility of refraction measurements of an at-home refraction measurement device is carried in a standardized experimental setup. The refraction measurement device is a handheld, low-cost, and simple to use refraction measurement device based on the inverse Shack–Hartmann technology. The device is aimed for consumers, telehealth, and at-home measurements. Users attach the device to their smartphone for control and analysis of the measurement. Looking through the device, users align patterns from the screen through two separated optical channels. The patterns combine on the user’s retina depending on their refraction values. A derivation of the formulation of the method is presented. The results of the accuracy assessment are analyzed through linear regression showing very good match between the input refraction values and the measured ones. Reproducibility result also show low variation between devices.
1. Introduction Uncorrected refractive error is the most prevalent eye condition globally. It accounts for more than 40% of the major causes for visual impairment.1,2 Refraction measurement is one of the most commonly performed procedures done by eye care professionals. It is used to diagnose, monitor, or plan treatment of a variety of conditions. These include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and other diseases and conditions that affect refractive error. Ophthalmic refraction measurements are traditionally performed by eye care professionals using devices such as autorefractors and phoropters. These devices for refraction measurements are cumbersome, expensive, and require professional training for their operation. Demand for telehealth and remote services by patients and healthcare providers has accelerated the development of new technologies to improve access and lower the cost of care.3–5 The COVID-19 pandemic magnified this trend for telemedicine.6–8 Eye care has similarly produced such advancements allowing handheld, low-cost, and simple to use devices to elevate standard of care by allowing users to perform self-administered measurements in the comfort of their home, outside of the clinic. The EyeQue VisionCheck is a self-administered, mobile application-driven refraction measurement device that provides spherical, cylindrical, and axis correction metrics of the eye. We turn to assess this device’s accuracy in a laboratory setup under its expected operating conditions.