Phoropters

A phoropter — also called a refractor or phoropt-or — is the instrument used in every refraction exam to determine a patient’s eyeglass or contact lens prescription. It cycles through combinations of lenses while the patient reads a chart, allowing the clinician to pinpoint the correction that delivers the sharpest vision.

Manual phoropters remain the workhorse of most exam lanes, offering proven reliability at a lower cost. Auto phoropters add motorized lens changes and digital control, speeding up the refraction workflow in high-volume practices. Digital Eye Center carries a rotating selection of used and refurbished phoropters from trusted manufacturers including Marco, Nidek, and Topcon. Condition varies by unit — each listing specifies whether it is used or refurbished, and every unit is verified by a certified technician before shipping.

Types of phoropters and typical prices (in stock, October 2026):

Minus cylinder phoropters (e.g., Topcon VT-10, Reichert 11625, Marco RT-700, Burton 7500): about $1,500–$2,900.
Plus cylinder phoropters (e.g., Topcon VT-10 Plus, Reichert 11635, Marco RT-700-LED): about $2,600–$3,200.
Illuminated phoropters (e.g., Reichert 11636, Marco RT-700, Burton AutoCross): about $1,500–$3,200.

Compare prices for every equipment type in our Used Ophthalmic Equipment Price Guide (2026).

All orders ship from Florida within 2–3 business days. Have a question about a specific unit or need help matching a phoropter to your exam lane setup? contact us here.