Refraction Exam Skills Course
Course description: This course is aimed at ST1-3 trainees who are registered to sit the refraction exam. The course covers the following elements.
- Retinoscopy
- Subjective sphere refinement
- Subjective cylinder refinement
- Focimetry
- Binocular Balance
- Cycloplegic retinoscopy
- Subjective retinoscopy
Venue: Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
Dates: 14th November 2025
How to book: The simulation team will send an email invitation to ST1-3 trainees when the course is open to book.
Expense claims: Any claims should be made as per the NES Study Leave policy. Link to Study Leave Policy
Pre-Course Preparation
To ensure you get the most out of this course, Dr Lexzion Chung has kindly prepared videos and a course handbook. It is important that you take time to go through these resources prior to attending the course.
Before you begin the pre-course preparation materials please fill out this short questionnaire - Pre-Intervention Questionnaire
Once you have completed the pre-course preparation materials please fill out this short questionnaire - Post-Intervention Questionnaire
Pre-Course Preparation - Retinoscopy
Content:
An introduction to the retinoscope and its parts, types of reflexes, and how to neutralise them with lenses. This video also covers working distance, calculating a patient’s prescription for both spherical and sphero-cylindrical errors, and how to transpose prescriptions.
(9 minutes)
Pre-Course Preparation - Subjective Sphere Refinement
Content:
A step-by-step guide to refining the spherical component of a prescription using trial lenses. Includes example phrases to use with patients, the +1 blur test, and an explanation of binocular balance.
(7 minutes)
Pre-Course Preparation - Subjective Cylinder Refinement
Content:
A detailed demonstration of refining the cylindrical component of a prescription with the Jackson Cross Cylinder. Covers which strength of JCC to choose, how to refine both axis and power, and phrases to use while performing refinement.
(12 minutes)
Pre-Course Preparation - Focimetry
Content:
Explains the parts of a focimeter and how to measure different lenses. Covers identifying prescriptions for spherical and sphero-cylindrical lenses, detecting and quantifying prism, and measuring near addition.
(7 minutes)
Pre-Course Preparation - Refraction Course Handbook
Content:
- Retinoscopy - Model eye and real eye
- Cylinder refinement
- Lens neutralisation (focimetry)
- Spherical refinement
