Comparison of refractive error measurements by three different models of autorefractors and subjective refraction in young adults

In this paper, the accuracy of noncycloplegic refractive error measurements performed by three autorefractors, Nidek ARK-510A, Visionix L80 Wave+, and Shin-Nippon NVision-K 5001, compared with subjective refraction (SR) in young adults is analyzed using statistical methods. The analysis is carried out in terms of spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism, and two Jackson crossed-cylinder vectors. Fifty-one subjects aged 19–23 were examined. The differences between objective refraction (OR) measured by autorefractors are not statistically significant in either SE or cylindrical components. However, in comparison with subjective refraction, the best agreement in SE was provided by K 5001. For all instruments, differences in SE between OR and SR are statistically significant.