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

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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?

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