[A portable automatic infrared refractor].

In order to measure refractive errors in infants who cannot be measured by the conventional refractor, we have devised a portable automatic infrared refractor. This device has four unique advantages. The first is that an examiner can measure refractive states at any position. The second is an auto-start system. The third is that this device enables the patient to look at an external fixation object through the half-mirror of the handipiece. The fourth is its portability. From the measurements on 44 infant subjects, a good correlation between this device and the conventional refractor was obtained. The specifications are: minimal pupil diameter, 2.9 mm; measurement range: spherical power +/- 20 D, cylindrical power +/- 7 D. We believe that this device has wide applicability in clinical examination. For example, we can use this device for measurements of refractive states during cataract surgery.