What is the medical device for optometry?

The world of optometry has evolved with precision, and it now relies heavily on stable and safe power delivery.

Medical devices for optometry are tools like autorefractors, slit lamps, and retinal cameras that rely on steady power input—commonly delivered through 24V medical power supplies or external power supplies.

As someone who works with manufacturers designing eye diagnostic equipment, I’ve seen how critical a stable medical power supply is. When optometry devices experience even minor voltage fluctuations, the result can be inaccurate readings, inconsistent motor behavior, or image distortion. Using a certified 24V power supply helps deliver the consistent energy needed while meeting strict medical safety standards.

Why do optometry devices require external power supplies?

Miniaturized eye care devices demand stable and safe power. But internalizing power management creates heat and complicates compliance.

Optometry machines use external power supplies to reduce internal heat, comply with safety standards, and deliver stable 24V DC output to sensitive medical systems.

External power supplies are a key design choice in modern optometry. Devices such as slit lamps or tonometers are used close to the patient’s face. With external adapters, the device stays cooler and safer. They also help streamline approvals for medical certification, like IEC 60601-1, by physically separating the AC input from patient contact areas.

How do switching power supplies support optometry accuracy?

Even minor instability in power delivery can cause image flicker or sensor drift. Accuracy matters when measuring vision or detecting disease.

Switching power supplies provide clean, efficient, and regulated 24V output for optometry devices, ensuring accuracy in imaging and diagnostic performance.

Switching power supplies are compact, energy-efficient, and thermally stable. Unlike older linear models, they generate less heat and can adjust automatically to voltage fluctuations, making them ideal for equipment used in clinics or mobile screening units.

Comparison of Power Supply Types

In devices like autorefractors or fundus cameras, even slight fluctuations in voltage can alter motor alignment or illumination balance. Switching power supplies help avoid this with constant output and integrated protections.

What makes a power supply “medical-grade”?

Not all power adapters are safe for medical environments. Medical-grade power supplies must meet strict global standards for leakage current, isolation, and reliability.

Medical power supplies comply with IEC 60601-1, have reinforced insulation, low leakage current, and are designed to be safe for patient-connected environments.

For optometry devices, this is especially important. Slit lamps, autorefractors, and similar machines may fall under BF or CF equipment classifications. This means their power sources must maintain low leakage (under 100μA) and high isolation, often 4kV or more.

Using non-medical power supplies may seem cost-saving early on, but leads to issues during regulatory testing. I’ve had clients forced to redesign entire housings or extend lead times just to swap out non-compliant adapters. It’s easier—and safer—to choose medical-grade supplies from the start.

Why do so many optometry devices use 24V?

There’s a reason 24V has become the standard. It hits the right balance between power, safety, and design simplicity.

24V power supplies are ideal for optometry because they safely support motors, sensors, and illumination modules without overheating or adding design complexity.

24V is powerful enough to run small motors (used in focusing or lens shifting mechanisms) but low enough to be safe in medical environments. It allows consistent performance of diagnostic sensors, cameras, and adjustable LED lighting.

In my work, I’ve noticed how 24V is increasingly favored for its ability to simplify internal device design. Many clinics also prefer it for serviceability. If the external power supply fails, it’s easy to replace without opening the unit, reducing downtime and support costs.

What’s the best way to choose an external power supply for optometry use?

Selecting the right power adapter is more than picking a voltage. You have to consider certifications, reliability, mechanical design, and long-term availability.

A good medical power supply for optometry must be IEC 60601-1 certified, efficient (DOE VI), reliable, and easy to integrate into compact equipment.

When choosing a 24V external power supply for optometry, ask:

• Is it certified for medical use (IEC 60601-1)?
• Is the efficiency rated (DOE VI or above)?
• Does it meet your required mechanical dimensions?
• Are there protections for overvoltage, short circuit, and overcurrent?
• Will the model still be in production in 3–5 years?

I once worked with a design team that had to re-certify a slit lamp when their adapter model was discontinued. Choosing a supplier with stable, long-term models saved us months on the second product line.

Conclusion

Medical optometry devices rely on certified 24V external power supplies for safe, accurate, and long-term performance.