RESUMEN
Purpose To compare visual acuity in 100 eyes with the results from an autorefractor and from subjective testing to determine whether or not the autorefractor measurement alone is sufficient to give the best correction for the practitioner to prescribe eye glasses. Methods One hundred eyes were tested by both methods. The patient's ages ranged from 20 to 50 years with a mean age of 34 years. The study was carried out during 1995 at Faculty of Medicine of Sana'a University. No pathology was noted in any of the eyes at the time of testing. Results There were significant differences in the values obtained between the autorefractor measurements and measurements taken on subjective testing. Conclusion The autorefractor measurement alone is not sufficient to give the best prescription and thus the best visual acuity for the purpose of prescribing eye glasses. It is best used as an adjunct to subjective testing or as a screening device