photorefractionn.
/ˌfəʊtəʊrᵻˈfrakʃn/, U.S. /ˈˌfoʊdoʊrəˈfrækʃ(ə)n/, /ˈˌfoʊdoʊriˈfrækʃ(ə)n/ 1. Ophthalmology. Any of several methods of measuring the refraction or accommodation of the eye by photographic assessment of the pattern of light reflected back from the retina.
ΚΠ
1974 Jrnl. Optical Soc. Amer. 64 240 (title) Photorefraction: a technique for study of refractive state at a distance.
1989 Jrnl. Compar. Physiol. 165 771 The measures, made by conventional retinoscopy and by photorefraction, show that the seals are moderately hyperopic (2–3 diopters) in water and moderately myopic (2–4 diopters) in air.
2000 Optometry & Vision Sci. 77 537 Photorefraction is a convenient way to determine refractive state from a distance. It is, therefore, useful for measuring infants and noncooperative subjects.
2. Materials Science. The phenomenon exhibited by certain materials whereby their refractive index can be modulated by incident light, e.g. from a laser; variable refraction by a material with such properties.
ΚΠ
1977 Bull. Acad. Sci. USSR, Physical Ser. 41 115 Photorefraction (the photorefractive effect) is a particular case of photochromism (the photochromic effect), involving changes in the optical properties of a material under the influence of light.
1991 Science 19 July 286/1 A pyridinium ylide experiences reversible photorefraction, which is attributed to local polarization caused by trapping of photoinduced changes at structural defects in the crystal.
2002 Proc. SPIE (Internat. Soc. Optical Engin.) 4748 270 When comparing the photorefraction scattering in LiNbO3:Rh and LiNbO3:Fe it was established that the kind of additive has an influence.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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