For the auto-refraction test, should the patient keep their contact lenses in?

During an auto-refraction test, the patient should not keep their contact lenses in. The auto-refractor measures how light is refracted through the eye to determine the best prescription for glasses or contact lenses. When contact lenses are worn, they can alter the way light enters the eye and may not provide an accurate measurement of the eye’s refractive status.

For the most accurate results, it's typically recommended that patients remove their contact lenses prior to the test, especially if they are soft lenses, as they can hold moisture and change the corneal curvature slightly. Hard lenses need to be removed even earlier (often several hours before testing) to ensure the cornea has returned to its natural shape. This practice ensures that the readings reflect the true refractive error of the eye without the altering effects of the lenses.