Room 2
Station 4: Cycloplegic retinoscopy 3 – first eye of a patient.
Station 5: Cycloplegic retinoscopy 4 – second eye of the same patient.
Station 6: Lens neutralisation with or without a focimeter.
Room 3
Station 7: Non-cycloplegic retinoscopy 1 – first eye of a patient.
Station 8: Non-cycloplegic retinoscopy 2 – second eye of the same patient.
Station 9: Visual acuity and trial frame fitting on a different patient.
Room 4
Station 10: Subjective refraction of the sphere – both eyes of a patient.
Station 11: Subjective refraction: binocular balance – both eyes of the same patient.
Station 12: Near addition – both eyes of a different patient.
As detailed, the first two stations in each room involve examinations conducted on the same patient and the third station is either conducted on a different patient or a task not involving a patient (such as using a focimeter). You are allowed up to 5 minutes to orientate yourself before the stations formally begin. You then have a total of 16 minutes to complete all three stations – 10 minutes for the first two stations followed by a 1-minute changeover period then 5 minutes for the third and final station in the room.
Guidance regarding common errors
Whilst revising for the Refraction Certificate, it is important to consider the feedback provided to the ophthalmic trainees group in April 2011.
The most common errors included:
- indecipherable numbers
- incorrect nomenclature (for example, not using + or – signs)
- forgetting to record visual acuity
- incorrect transposition from retinoscopy prescription
- final refraction written down incorrectly, despite correct initial workings
- inability to refract quickly under pressure (reflecting that failure is related to inexperience).
Therefore, it would be wise to practise adequately prior to the examination and ensure that your recordings are precise and correct.
