Adoption of the Automated Phoropter by Michigan Optometrists.

Background: The automated phoropter is currently being manufactured and sold by many prominent optical instrument companies including Marco, Zeiss, Reichert, Essilor, Topcon, and more. These companies have made significant investments in instrument design and marketing of the automated phoropters and propose that these instruments are superior in terms of efficiency and accuracy. This research project will investigate the adoption of automated phoropters by optometrists in Michigan and will thereby provide important information to universities and newly graduating optometrists. Methods: Data will be collected using a survey that will be sent via email to members of the Michigan Optometric Association. The survey will include questions about current use or plans to incorporate this technology into their practices. Survey questions will also provide information regarding what type of practices have the highest adoption rate. Results: The data collected in this survey will be reported in the appropriate format such as percentages, graphs, and tables. Conclusions: The results of this survey will provide colleges and optometry students with information regarding the likelihood of encountering automated phoropters in practice. This will in turn demonstrate to graduating optometrists the need to be familiar with automated phoropters prior to employment. It will also allow the schools and colleges of optometry to make proactive decisions on the need to integrate a more formal training on the use of automated phoropters into their curriculum