Lens Characteristics Flashcards
What is a prism?
a triangular shape with an apex and base
What is the apex?
It is the point at the top of a prism.
What is the base?
It is the wider, flat surface at the bottom of a prism.
What happen to an object when viewed through a prism?
It is moved in a different direction as compared to seeing the object with the naked eye.
What happens when light passes through a prism?
it is redirected toward the base of the prism.
What makes the object seen by the patient through a prism appear to be displaced?
Toward the apex.
What is the ratio used to predict image displacement?
P=C/D
C=displacement of the object in cm.
D=distance from the prism in meters
ex:What is the power of a prism that displaces light 1cm at a distance of 0.5 meter?
P=1cm/0.5m
P=2.00D
Therefore the power of the prism 2(triangle) diopters.
Lenses are a combination of prisms. Plus lenses are prisms joined …?
Base to base.
that is why plus lenses are thicker in the middle and thin on the edges.
Minus lenses are prisms joined…?
apex to apex.
Thin in the middle and thick on the edges.
What is a focal length or point of focus?
every lens has this and is defined as the distance a lens takes to focus parallel beams of light.
Stronger lenses have ….?
short focal lengths
Weaker lenses have…?
longer focal lengths
What is a lensometer?
it measures the focal length of a lens and converts it into diopters, which is the unit of measure used for writing Rx.
What is the formula used to calculate the focal length?
f=1/F
f=focal length
F=lens power in diopters
D=distance from prism in meters
Describe the focal length of a plus lens.
having a “real” focal length because the base to base prisms converge light to a measurable point of focus behind the lens.
Describe the focal length of a minus lens.
has a “virtual” focal length because apex to apex prisms diverge light rays that never come to a point of focus.
What is a virtual focal point?
Their paths must be reconstructed backward to determine focal point..
EX: What is the focal length of a +2.00D lens?
f=1/2 f=0.5m real