They may look as ridiculous as they sound but Phoropters are essential eye-doctoring devices. These overgrown binoculars have helped optometrists measure an individual’s refractive error, more commonly known as your eyeglass prescription, since the 19th Century. Our friends at Oobject have collected the very best examples of phoropters since the Victorian Era.
When you’re done looking through these, check out these submarine-less periscopes and a dozen bespectacled architects.
Rodenstock Phoropter
Reichert Model 11625 Ultramatic Phoropter
Classic Bausch and Lomb Phoropter
Reichert Plus Cylinder Phoroptor
Phoropter on aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy
Remote vision automated wireless phoropter
Phoropter in action
Vintage 1930s Phoropter
Contemporary electronic phoropter
Pink Bausch and Lomb Phoropter
19th Century Phoropter
Rodenstock Phoropter, Phorolux Model
Moller Phoropter, Model Visutest D
Portable Phoroptor – for picnics?
Parts of the Phoropter, labeled
