Lens Neutralisation (spheres, cylinders & prisms)

The aim here is to neutralise (negate) the lens power to calculate its strength without the
use of a vertometer. This is performed by observing movement of an object through a given
lens, and then placing a lens of opposite movement (i.e., power) against it until the duo
results in NO MOVEMENT. This is the process of lens neutralisation.

SHPEREICAL LENSES (power is written as: Dioptre sphere = DS)

For a, plus or a minus lens, linear motion is used to neutralize power

 Plus lens
– Convex
– Lens moves up image moves down
– Against motion
– This type of lens also causes magnification

 Minus lens
– Concave
– Lens moves up image moves up
– With motion
– This type of lens also causes minification

Note: Convex lenses cause pincushion distortion, concave lenses cause barrel distortion.

CYLINDRICAL LENSES (power is written as Dioptre cylinder = DC)

  For the correction of astigmatism (also called ‘astigmatic lenses’)
 When looking at a cross through a cylindrical lens, rotation of the cylinder causes
‘skewing’ or scissoring of the image (cross)
 If a convex plus cylinder: against (axis) skewing
 If a concave minus cylinder: with (axis) skewing

Note: The power of the cylinder is at 90 degrees to its axis & the focal line is parallel to the
axis of the cyl.

Note: if lens is moved vertically (up and down) and the horizontal line moves the axis is
180 degrees

Note: if lens moved horizontally (right and left) and the horizontal line moves the axis is
90 degree

Note: No movement indicates neutrality

PRISMS (power denoted as the prism dioptre = ∆)

Neutralisation of lenses (a step-by-step guide)

1. Ask yourself: what sort of lens is this? A sphere? A cylinder? Both?

2. View the neutralisation cross through the lens. Do you see with or against
movement? Note: the speed of the movement indicates the lens power – faster
speed, more powerful lens. E.g., a lens of +5.00 DS power will cause faster against
movement than a +0.50 DS lens.

“with” movement = concave lens (-) “against” movement = convex lens (+)

3. Note if any magnification of the neutralisation cross (convex lens) or minification

(concave lens).

4. Now rotate the lens. Is there "skewing" (scissors movement)? If no: SPHERE present
If yes: CYLINDER present

5. If a sphere is present, simply neutralize the lens with spheres of opposite movement
to that you can see. Again, note the potential speed/power of the lens as this will
determine the lens strength you choose from the trial lens box.

6. If there is a cylinder present, rotate the lens until there is no skewing – i.e., rotate it
until you see a full cross again.

7. Move the cylinder vertically and look at the horizontal (180 deg) line. Does the line
move with or against? If yes: the AXIS IS IN THIS MERIDIAN (180 deg) and the with or
against movement determines whether it’s a plus or minus cylinder. If no: move the
lens horizontally and watch the vertical line of the cross. Movement should now be
noticed here – the axis is in this meridian (90 deg).

8. Neutralise the type of movement seen with cylinders of opposite movement (i.e.,
power)
 Neutralise by placing the axis of the correcting cylinder to coincide with the
cylinder to be neutralized.
 Continue to increase/alter the strength of the neutralizing lens until you see
NO movement of the lines of the cross and NO skewing movement with the
combination of the two lenses. You have now found the strength and axis
location of the original cylinder.

9. Determine whether a prism is present and neutralise. Note, prisms do not cause with
or against movement, solely image displacement towards the apex of the prism