MEASUREMENT OF LENS POWER

- THE FOCIMETER -

AUTHOR
David Wilson: Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI), Sydney, Australia

PEER REVIEWER
Mo Jalie: Visiting Professor: University of Ulster, Varilux University in Paris

THIS CHAPTER WILL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF

 Hand neutralisation
 Focimeter
 Focimeter – Principle and construction
 Focimeter use – Line and dot targets
 Determining the lens power using line and dot targets
 Determining the prism with focimeter
 Focimeter use – Sources of error
 Projection and automatic focimeters

INTRODUCTION
Lens power (normally back vertex power), can be determined by using the technique of hand neutralisation or, more
commonly today, the use of a focimeter.

The instrument commonly used in the dispensary or consulting room to neutralise a lens is known by various names in
various countries, including the focimeter, the lensmeter and the vertometer. The first instrument of its type patented
was also called the “refractionmeter”.

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HAND NEUTRALISATION

Lens power (normally back vertex power), can be determined by using the technique of
hand neutralisation or, more commonly today, the use of a focimeter.
The instrument commonly used in the dispensary or consulting room to neutralise a lens is
known by various names in various countries, including the focimeter, the lensmeter and the
vertometer. The first instrument of its type patented was also called the “refractionmeter”.

HAND
NEUTRALISATION

Figure 2.1: Identification of lenses through lens movement against a distant cross target

Hand neutralisation can be done by viewing a distant cross target through the lines whose
limbs extend beyond the lens edge. The lens is moved up and down, and left and right to
ascertain the presence of a “with” or an “against” movement. A “with” movement is seen with
negative powered lenses and an “against” movement is seen with positive powered lenses
(Figure 2.1).

Movement is neutralised using trial lenses. The trial lens used is determined by the direction
of movement of the target with respect to the movement of the unknown lens. That is, a
“with” movement is neutralised by holding a positive trial lens in contact with the unknown
lens and an “against” movement is neutralised by holding a negative trial lens in contact with
PROCEDURE the unknown lens. The power of the trial lens is increased until no movement of the cross
hairs is seen.
If the unknown lens is spherical, the movement will be in the same direction and of the same
speed in all meridians.

If the lens is cylindrical or sphero-cylindrical then each principal meridian will have to be
neutralised separately. To find the principal meridians hold the lens against the cross-hairs.
Rotate the lens about its optical axis (Figure 2.2). At some positions, the appearance of the
cross-hairs through the lens will not be continuous with those outside the lens and will not be
at right angles to each other. Rotate the lens such that the lines within the view of the lens
are continuous with those outside the lens. This will constitute the principal meridians; these
can be marked and individually neutralised.
HAND
NEUTRALISATION
OF TORIC LENSES

Figure 2.2: Determination of the principal meridians of a toric lens

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FOCIMETER

The focimeter may also be called a lensometer, lensmeter or a vertometer (Figure 2.3).
The function of the focimeter is to measure the back or front vertex power of a lens or lens
system. The optical centre of the lens is located in order to position the lens correctly,
relative to the visual axes and the centre of rotation. When the optical centre is positioned
correctly in the focimeter, the spherical power, cylindrical power and its orientation and
prism power can be measured. For ophthalmic lenses, the back vertex power of the lens
is measured when the back vertex of the lens is resting on the lens stop. Similarly, the
front vertex power of the lens is measured when the front vertex of the lens is resting on
the lens stop. The focimeter consists of a focusing system and a telescope viewing
system.

FOCIMETER

Figure 2.3: Focimeter

Light source and moveable target

When no lens is positioned in the focimeter and the focimeter is set to a zero power
reading the target is said to be positioned at the first principal focus of the standard lens.
COMPONENTS OF THE Standard (collimating) lens
FOCUSING SYSTEM The standard lens is a positive powered lens, usually of a power higher than the greatest
power that the focimeter is required to measure (+22.00 DS to +27.00 DS).
Lens stop with central aperture
The lens stop is positioned at the second principal focus of the standard lens.

The telescope viewing system consists of an objective lens and an eyepiece lens.
Positioned between these lenses (at the second principal focus of the objective lens and
first principal focus of the eyepiece lens) is a graticule that measures 0 to 180 degrees in
1 degree increments. The eyepiece should be focussed such that the graticule is in focus
for the observer’s un-accommodated eye.
TELESCOPE
VIEWING SYSTEM When adjusted to give parallel emergent light, the focussing system sets the object of the
target at infinity and this is viewable by the telescope system. At the foci of the telescope’s
lenses, the position of the graticule, which is etched onto a flat plate of glass, appears to
be in the same plane as the target. This allows the position of the target, relative to the
graticule, to be measured for prismatic effect. The graticule is, effectively, a tangent scale,
with the ability to measure prism as well as axis.

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FOCIMETER – PRINCIPLE AND CONSTRUCTION

For a plano lens or no lens under test

The target is positioned at the first principal focus (fo) of a standard (collimating) lens and
the lens rest is positioned at the second principal focus (f’o). This ensures that the
movement of the target along the system’s principal axis is proportional to the lens under
test (Figure 2.4).

For a minus lens under test

The target will be moved away from the standard lens, decreasing the divergence of the
light incident on the standard lens. The resulting convergent light exiting from the
standard lens will be rendered parallel by the lens being tested.

For a plus lens under test

The target will be moved towards the standard lens, increasing the divergence of the light
incident on the standard lens. The resulting divergent light exiting will be rendered parallel
by the lens being tested.

OPTICS OF
FOCIMETER

Figure 2.4: Optics of the focimeter

The determination of lens power where the position of the target is considered with
respect to the standard lens is based upon Newton’s Relation.

Newton’s relation states that:

−x.x’ = f’o2

where x is the distance of the target from the first principal focus of the standard lens (fo),
x’ is the distance of the image from the second principal focus of the standard lens (f’o),
which is coplanar with the back vertex of the lens under test, and f’o is the focal length of
NEWTON’S RELATION the standard lens.

Since, in the case of the focimeter, x’ represents −f’v, where f’v is the second principal
focal length of lens under test, then:

 x.f’v = f’o2
 x = f’o2 / f’v
 x =F’v / F’o2
 F’v = x F’o2

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FOCIMETER – PRINCIPLE AND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)

Therefore, the distance travelled by the target from the first principal focus of the standard
lens is directly related to the back vertex power of the lens being measured (Figure 2.5).

x fo f’ o x’

NEWTON’S RELATION
(cont.)

Light Source Lens holder for unknown lens

Standard lens
& Moveable Target (holding negative lens in figure) Telescope

Figure 2.5: Constructing a focimeter

Example
If a standard lens of +25.00DS is selected, over what distance is the target required to
travel when lenses of power 20.00D are to be measured?

The movement of the target from the focus of the standard lens (the distance x) per
dioptre is:

x = 1000 / Fo2

DISPLACEMENT OF For example, if the standard lens is +25D, then:

THE TARGET PER
DIOPTRE x = 1000 / (25)2= 1000 / 625 = 1.6mm

If 20.00D is to be measured by the focimeter, then this represents a total of 40 dioptric

steps.

Therefore, the total target travel required to measure the range between 20.00D is given
by multiplying the number of dioptric steps by the number of millimetres per Dioptre that
the target must move. So,

 Total target travel = 40  1.6 = 64mm

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FOCIMETER – PRINCIPLE AND CONSTRUCTION (cont.)

Focusing the eyepiece

Figure 2.6(a): Focusing the eyepiece Figure 2.6(b): Focused graticule

FOCIMETER
PREPARATION

Figure 2.6(c): Focused crosshairs

The eyepiece should be focused at each use as the setting will vary between individuals.
Rotate the eyepiece until fully extended from the instrument (usually by rotating the
eyepiece as far as possible in an anticlockwise direction). The graticule visible through the
eyepiece will now appear blurred. The eyepiece should then be rotated in a clockwise
direction until the target crosshairs and the graticule just come into focus. Continued
rotation of the eyepiece will force the observer to accommodate in order to keep the
graticule in focus. Accommodating whilst viewing the target can cause variability in the
power measurement.

Check calibration
With the power wheel at the zero position, the cross hairs and the target should be in
clear focus. Both eyes should be open with the dominant eye used with the eyepiece.

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FOCIMETER USE – LINE TARGETS

Insert the spectacles to measure the back vertex power (BVP), the back pole of the lens
should be positioned at the lens stop and the spectacles should be secured with the aid of
the table and the spring clamp. The optical centre of the lens should be positioned over
the centre of the aperture of the lens stop (Figure 2.7).

FOCIMETER USE
- LINE TARGETS

Figure 2.7: Line or (b) dot targets in the focimeter

Rotate the power wheel until the lines or dots become clear. Note the power on the power
wheel. If the lens power is spherical, both sets of lines or all dots will be clear regardless
of the position of the axis drum.
Marking the optical centre
Check that the centre of the crosshair coincides with the centre of the target. When this is
so, the lens is correctly positioned and the optical centre should be marked.
Measuring the power of the second lens
Without moving the position of the table, proceed with the reading of the left lens and the
determination of the power as for the first lens. If the lens target is displaced up or down
from the horizontal portion of the crosshair, there is a vertical prismatic correction
DETERMINING incorporated for the two eyes (see later).
THE LENS POWER –
SPHERICAL LENSES

Figure 2.8: Determining lens power in sphero-cylindrical lenses

Step 1 – Finding the sphere power

Rotate the power wheel until one set of lines becomes clear. Start with the higher positive
power (or lower negative power). The axis drum will need to be rotated to ensure that the
lines are unbroken. Note the power on the power wheel.
Step 2 – Finding the cylinder power
Rotate the power wheel until the second set of lines becomes clear. The second power
SPHERO-CYLINDRICAL reading minus the first reading will give the power of the cylinder (and its correct sign).
LENSES Step 3 – Finding the axis
Note the direction of the lines at the second reading. This is the axis.
N.B.: The manufacturers of focimeters with line targets will have selected one set of lines
to correspond with the sphere power, so that the axis may be read directly off the axis
drum. Unless the practitioner knows which set of lines the manufacturer has set for the
sphere the axis given by the axis drum cannot be relied on. Step 3 (above), however will
always give the correct answer (measuring the axis with the aid of the graticule).

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DETERMINING THE LENS POWER-USING A RING OF DOTS TARGET

If all the dots of the target are in focus at a given setting of the power wheel, the lens is
spherical.

SPHERICAL
LENSES
Figure 2.9: Determining the power of spherical lenses using a ring of dots target

Marking the optical centre

Check that the centre of the ring of dots coincides with the centre of the target. When this is so,
the lens is correctly positioned and the optical centre should be marked. While there is no
centre dot, the whole set of dots can be “framed” within the lines of the graticule to locate the
centre.

Measuring the power of the second lens

Without moving the position of the table, proceed with the insertion of the spectacles and the
determination of the power of the left lens as for the first lens. If the lens target is displaced up
or down from the horizontal portion of the crosshair, there is a vertical prismatic correction
incorporated for the two eyes.
Example 1:
Step 1 – Finding the sphere power
Rotate the power wheel until one set of lines (stretched dots) becomes clear. Start with the
higher positive power (or lower negative power). Note the power on the power wheel.
Step 2 – Finding the cylinder power
Rotate the power wheel until the second set of lines (stretched dots) becomes clear. The
second power reading minus the first reading will give the power of the cylinder (and its correct
sign).
Step 3 – Finding the axis
Note the direction of the lines (stretched dots) at the second reading. This is the axis. The
rotatable line in the graticule is used to line up with the stretched dots to determine the axis.
SPHERICAL
Example 2:
LENSES:
EXAMPLES

Figure 2.10: Ring of dot targets

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DETERMINING THE LENS POWER-USING A RING OF DOTS TARGET (cont.)

Step 1 – Finding the sphere power

Rotate the power wheel until one set of lines (stretched dots) becomes clear. Start with the
higher positive power (or lower negative power). Note the power on the power wheel. In this
case the power reading is +1.00D.
SPHERICAL Step 2 – Finding the cylinder power
LENSES: Rotate the power wheel until the second set of lines becomes clear. The second power
EXAMPLES (cont.) reading minus the first reading will give the power of the cylinder (and its correct sign). In this
case the second reading is –1.00D. So the cylinder power is:(–1.00)–(+1.00) = –2.00D.
Step 3 – Finding the axis
Note the direction of the lines at the second reading. This is the axis. The lines are lying at
120.So the lens power is +1.00/–2.00 X 120.

SPHERO-
CYLINDRICAL
LENSES

Figure 2.11: Determining the power of sphero-cylindrical lenses

Step 1 – Finding the sphere power
Rotate the power wheel until one set of lines becomes clear. Start with the higher positive
power (or lower negative power). The axis drum will need to be rotated to ensure that the lines
are unbroken. Note the power on the power wheel. In this case the power reading is +1.00 D.

SPHERO-
CYLINDRICAL
LENS POWER –
USING A LINE Figure 2.12: Line targets
TARGETS:
EXAMPLE Step 2 – Finding the cylinder power
Rotate the power wheel until the second set of lines becomes clear. The second power
reading minus the first reading will give the power of the cylinder (and its correct sign). In this
case the second reading is –1.00D. So the cylinder power is:
–1.00 –(+1.00) = -2.00D.
Step 3 – Finding the axis
Note the direction of the lines at the second reading. This is the axis. The lines are lying at
120. So the lens power is +1.00/-2.00 X 120.
N.B.: In this case the manufacturers of focimeters selected the thin lines to correspond with
the sphere power, so that the axis drum would read 120. If, however, the practitioner did not
know this and used the three thick lines for the first reading then the three step rule would give
the correct result but the axis drum would be reading 90 degrees off axis.

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DETERMINING THE PRISM USING A FOCIMETER

VERTICAL PRISM

Figure 2.13: Determining vertical prism

Figure 2.14: Determining horizontal prism

HORIZONTAL PRISM Horizontal prism is more difficult to determine, particularly if it has been achieved by
horizontal displacement of the optical centres.
If the spectacle wearer’s interpupillary distance (IPD) is known, it should be marked on the
lenses so that when checking for horizontal prism in the second lens, the IPD marking should
be placed over the aperture of the lens stop. Any horizontal displacement of the target when
the lens is so positioned indicates the presence of horizontal prism (Figure 2.14).
Alternatively, the wearer’s IPD should be compared with the distance between the spectacle
lens optical centres. The prism being determined using Prentice’s Rule, where P = cF (to be
discussed in a later chapter).
If the spectacle wearer’s IPD is not known, the optical centre of the lens should be marked at
the position where the target is coincident with the centre of the crosshair. The wearer’s IPD
should subsequently be measured and compared with the distance between the spectacle
lens optical centres. The prism being determined using Prentice’s Rule.

OBLIQUE PRISM

Figure 2.15: Determining oblique prism

If vertical and horizontal prisms are present in the second lens measured, the target will
appear to be displaced obliquely from the centre of the focimeter crosshairs (Figure 2.15).
The vertical and horizontal prism components can be corrected separately such that the
target becomes centred to the crosshair or can be neutralised with prism at an oblique angle,
the axis of which should be noted by aligning the crosshair with the centre of the target.

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FOCIMETER USE – SOURCES OF ERROR

Failure to focus the eyepiece will result in incorrect readings of vertex power. Dependent on
the degree to which the eyepiece is incorrectly focused for a given observer, the error in the
EYEPIECE
power reading may classify completed lens spectacles as outside the acceptable tolerances
for optical appliance standards.

With the eyepiece in focus and the power wheel at zero, the reticule and target should be
ZERO SETTING AND clearly in focus. The clarity of the reticule and the target should also be checked for
AXIS ALIGNMENT additional lenses of known back vertex powers. Axis alignment should be similarly checked
with a cylindrical or sphero-cylindrical lens of known cylinder axis orientation.

CENTRATION OF When rotated, the graticule and target should remain centred relative to each other. If this is
THE GRATICULE not the case, check that any variable prism incorporated into the focimeter is set to zero. If
AND TARGET the target and graticule are still in misalignment, the focimeter needs servicing!

The calibration of the focimeter should be checked frequently. If the error in the BVP is
systematically incorrect, it is likely that the aperture stop is in misalignment and is no longer
CORRECTIVE
positioned at the second principal focus of the standard lens. The power reading should be
MEASURES
corrected for a systematic error in the short-term. Replacement and repositioning of the
aperture stop presents a long-term solution.

PROJECTION AND AUTOMATIC FOCIMETERS

With projection focimeters, the target is usually projected

on to a screen. Focussing of the eyepiece is not required
in a telescopic system and this therefore eliminates a
source of error from the focimeter reading. The majority of
projection focimeters (Figure 2.16) are semiautomatic and
have line targets and axis alignment is usually achieved
by rotating the target until the triple lines become clear.
This is then denoted as the sphere component and, if
PROJECTION refocusing is required, the cylindrical component and axis
FOCIMETERS are calculated by the focimeter. Thus, sources of
arithmetic errors in determining the cylinder magnitude
are removed.

Figure 2.16: Projection focimeter

With automatic focimeters, the operator is required only to centre the lens correctly. The
AUTOMATIC focimeter scans the lens to determine the maximum and minimum powers and displays the
FOCIMETERS result. This type of focimeter removes the majority of sources of errors from focimeter
readings.

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SUMMARY
Accurate measurement of lens power and the location of the optical centre is an important part of the successful
prescribing and dispensing of ophthalmic lenses.

In the next chapter we will look at the application of lens measurement in the context of holistic quality control.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jalie M. 2003. Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing. Butterworth Heinemann, London.
Jalie M. 1984. Principles of Ophthalmic Lenses, ABDO, London.
Wakefield KG and Bennet AG. 2000. Bennett's Ophthalmic Prescription Work, Butterworth-Heinemann.
Brooks CW and Borish IM. 2006. System of Ophthalmic Dispensing. Butterworth Heinemann.
Brooks CW. 2005. Essentials of Ophthalmic Lens Finishing. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Wilson D. 2006. Practical Optical Dispensing 2nd Edition. Open Training and Education Network, Sydney.
Wilson D and Stenersen S. 2002. Practical Optical Workshop. Open Training and Education Network, Sydney.

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