With the Ski-optometer, when the examination is completed, the sum-total of final results—whether spherical, cylinder, axis, or all combined—are automatically indicated or registered ready to write the prescription. Until then, the foci of the various lenses that may be employed are of no importance.
In short, in using the Ski-optometer, it is not necessary to constantly watch the registrations during examinations. The automatic operation of the instrument is an exclusive feature, so that the refractionist should unhesitatingly employ it. Hence, by eliminating the perpetual watch on the lenses in use, the refractionist is enabled to give his undivided attention to the patient rather than to the trial lenses.
Where a special dark-room is used for skioscopic work, an additional wall bracket or floor stand will necessitate only the removal of the instrument itself. This enables the refractionist to use the Ski-optometer for subjective or objective work, without disturbing the patient’s correction.
Chapter IV
IMPORTANT POINTS IN CONNECTION WITH
THE USE OF THE SKI-OPTOMETER
The Ski-optometer is equipped with an adjustable head-rest, permitting its lenses to be brought as close as possible to the eye without touching the patient’s lashes, a matter of importance in every examination.
Fig. 11—The nasal lines of the Ski-optometer fit the contour of face with mask-like perfection, patient remaining in comfortable position.
Elimination of Trial-Frame Discomfort
Where the Ski-optometer is correctly fitted to the face, the patient invariably remains in a comfortable position ([Fig. 11]). The instrument is shaped to fit the face like a mask, so that even with a pupillary distance of but 50 m/m (that of a child) there still remains, without pinching, ample room for the widest nose of an adult.
Before making an examination, the correct pupillary distance should always be obtained by drawing an imaginary vertical line downward through the center of each eye from the 90° point on the Ski-optometer axis scale. The pupillary distance will then register in millimeters on the scale of measurements for each eye separately. If the Ski-optometer is correctly adjusted, the patient is securely held in position, the cumbersome trial-frame being entirely eliminated.