Description
What’s Included
- Nidek ARK-1e autorefractor keratometer (main unit)
- Chin rest assembly
- Power cable
- Note: forehead band is missing — see gallery images
- 90-day Digital Eye Center warranty
Condition & Warranty
Used. This Nidek ARK-1e has been tested and is in excellent working order. The unit shows normal signs of usage consistent with used clinical equipment. The forehead band is missing (see pictures); all measurement functions operate normally. Cleaned before shipping. Covered by a 90-day warranty on parts and workmanship from Digital Eye Center.
Nidek ARK-1e — Used Autorefractor Keratometer with 9-Point Keratometry
The Nidek ARK-1e is one of the most widely deployed objective refraction instruments in clinical optometry and ophthalmology. The Nidek ARK-1e delivers automated sphere, cylinder, and axis measurements alongside 9-point keratometry in a single compact tabletop unit — giving technicians both objective refraction and corneal curvature data without switching instruments or repositioning the patient. Auto-tracking and auto-shot functions eliminate most operator steps: the Nidek ARK-1e detects the pupil, locks alignment, and fires automatically, making it ideal for high-volume pre-testing lanes and technician-assisted workflows. This used unit includes the chin rest and power cable; note that the forehead band is missing (see images). Research published in Optometry and Vision Science confirms that the Nidek ARK-1 autorefractor delivers clinically accurate objective refraction results, supporting its use as a reliable starting point for subjective manifest refraction.
Why Practices Choose the Nidek ARK-1e
9-point keratometry — maps corneal curvature across a broader area than standard 4-point keratometers, providing richer data for contact lens fitting, IOL calculation, and refractive surgery pre-screening.- Auto-tracking and auto-shot — the instrument tracks pupil movement and captures measurements automatically once alignment is confirmed, reducing per-patient chair time and operator variability.
- Wide refraction range — sphere from −25.00 D to +25.00 D and cylinder up to ±10.00 D, covering standard and high-prescription patients including those with significant myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.
- Color LCD with keratometric map — results display includes sphere, cylinder, axis, and simulated keratometric map, giving the technician an immediate overview of corneal regularity alongside refraction data.
- Compatible with Nidek RT phoropters — RS-232C serial output enables direct data transfer to compatible Nidek motorized phoropters, shortening the subjective refraction phase.
- Fast, consistent measurement cycle — captures both eyes in seconds, keeping throughput high without sacrificing measurement accuracy or repeatability.
- Proven clinical track record — the ARK-1 series has been in wide clinical use for over two decades, with a published record of reliable, accurate performance in busy practice environments.
Clinical Applications
- Objective pre-testing refraction — provides the starting prescription for subjective manifest refraction, reducing chair time during the full exam.
- 9-point corneal curvature mapping — for soft and rigid gas-permeable contact lens fitting requiring detailed K-reading coverage across the cornea.
- Cataract pre-surgical keratometry — baseline K-readings for IOL power calculation and surgical planning.
- Refractive surgery screening — corneal curvature and objective refraction for LASIK and PRK candidate evaluation.
- High-volume and technician-driven lanes — auto-shot capture enables rapid, consistent preliminary measurements without examiner involvement.
Who This Is For
- Optometry and ophthalmology practices upgrading to 9-point keratometry from older or lower-spec autorefractors at used pricing with a 90-day warranty.
- High-volume clinics needing reliable auto-shot and auto-tracking to support technician-driven preliminary exams.
- Contact lens specialty practices that need 9-point corneal mapping beyond standard 4-point keratometry.
- Practices using Nidek RT phoropters who want a directly compatible ARK for automated data transfer into the refraction workflow.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Model | Nidek ARK-1e |
| Type | Autorefractor / Keratometer |
| Sphere range | −25.00 D to +25.00 D |
| Cylinder range | 0 to ±10.00 D |
| Axis range | 0° to 180° |
| Keratometry range | 5.00–10.00 mm (33.75–67.50 D) |
| Keratometry points | 9-point measurement |
| Auto functions | Auto-tracking, auto-shot |
| Display | Color LCD with keratometric map |
| Data output | RS-232C serial port |
| Condition | Used (forehead band missing — see images) |
| Warranty | 90-day Digital Eye Center warranty (parts & workmanship) |
Compare Autorefractor Keratometer Options
| Model | Keratometry | Condition | Warranty | Price |
| Nidek ARK-1e (this unit) | 9-point | Used | 90 days | $6,300 |
| Potec PRK 8000 | Standard | Brand new | 1 year | $6,800 |
| Nidek ARK-500A | Standard | Used | 90 days | $4,800 |
| Topcon KR-800S | Standard | Used | 90 days | $4,950 |
Looking for 9-point keratometry at used pricing? The Nidek ARK-1e is your only option in this price range. For brand-new AR/K without the extended K-mapping, see the Potec PRK 8000. For a budget used option, the Nidek ARK-500A is available at $4,800.
Questions about the Nidek ARK-1e? Contact us for availability and shipping details.
