Future of Ophthalmology - Nidek Launches the 'Open Field Refraction System PHANTOM™'
Nidek has launched the 'Open Field Refraction System PHANTOM™', a novel eye examination device that conducts vision and refraction tests without obstructing the patient's view, allowing for binocular measurement. This innovation aims to address the global rise in myopia and improve patient comfort by eliminating the stress associated with traditional monocular eye exams, promising more natural and accurate results.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:00
Nidek Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture, President and CEO: Soichiro Ozawa) will launch the 'Open Field Refraction System PHANTOM' (hereinafter referred to as PHANTOM) on Friday, April 3rd.
PHANTOM is an examination device that allows for vision and refractive error measurements, used when determining the prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses, to be performed without placing any visual obstructions such as lenses in front of the eyes, while the patient looks at objects with both eyes. This provides a new measurement experience for examinees.
In recent years, myopia has gained attention as a global societal issue, and the number of people requiring eyeglasses and contact lenses is increasing year by year. By 2050, it is predicted that approximately half of the world's population, about 5 billion people, will be myopic*. In this context, living with better vision is a crucial factor supporting QOL (Quality of Life), and public interest is growing.
While our company has supported global vision environments through examination devices symbolized by the balloon chart on the horizon, we have now developed PHANTOM as a product that realizes a new measurement experience, unbound by conventional frameworks.
Humans naturally see things using both eyes. However, general vision and refractive error measurements widely use methods that examine one eye at a time. This can cause changes in accommodation (focusing) and pupil size, potentially affecting measurement results.
In a "Survey on Awareness of Ophthalmic Measurement Methods" conducted by our company targeting individuals aged 20-40, 62.1% of respondents felt that "vision was different than usual" when measuring eyesight with one eye covered, and 47.7% of respondents had experienced straining their uncovered eye when one eye was covered.
Approximately 1 in 2 people experienced fatigue, tension, or stress during measurement, with reasons cited including anxiety and pressure to "answer correctly."
Furthermore, responses such as "the examination time felt long" and "my eye strained when one eye was covered" accounted for one-fourth, confirming that eyesight measurement impacts psychological and physical stress.
Regarding the ability to measure both eyes simultaneously instead of one at a time, voices of expectation were raised, such as "the measurement seems like it would finish in a short time" and "it seems like it would be stress-free."
[Survey Overview]
Survey Name: Awareness Survey on Ophthalmic Measurement Methods
Survey Operator: Nidek Co., Ltd.
Survey Execution: Neo Marketing Inc.
Survey Period: March 19-22, 2026
Target Audience: Men and women aged 20-40, 501 participants
Survey Method: Internet survey
With PHANTOM, objective refractive error measurement (objective measurement) is performed simultaneously for both eyes without covering one eye. Based on these measurement results, subjective measurement to confirm vision with both eyes open is performed, which is expected to yield results closer to prescriptions that are easy to use in daily life.
Moreover, PHANTOM can complete measurements in a shorter time, potentially leading to reduced stress and fatigue for examinees. Furthermore, with optional self-measurement and multilingual support, it is expected to contribute to addressing labor shortages in medical and retail settings and meeting inbound demand.
* Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-1042. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006
Product Name
Open Field Refraction System PHANTOM
Launch Date
April 3, 2026
Device Classification
General Medical Device
Notification Number
23B1X00023000206
Through product development based on our core philosophy of "Three Eyes (Ambition, Difference, World)," we will leverage our technical capabilities and flexible ideas to offer a wide product lineup and continue to meet the diverse needs of the market.
Keywords: Medical Device, Ophthalmology, Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses, Glasses, Vision, Eye, Nidek, Optician, NIDEK
PHANTOM is an examination device that allows for vision and refractive error measurements, used when determining the prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses, to be performed without placing any visual obstructions such as lenses in front of the eyes, while the patient looks at objects with both eyes. This provides a new measurement experience for examinees.
In recent years, myopia has gained attention as a global societal issue, and the number of people requiring eyeglasses and contact lenses is increasing year by year. By 2050, it is predicted that approximately half of the world's population, about 5 billion people, will be myopic*. In this context, living with better vision is a crucial factor supporting QOL (Quality of Life), and public interest is growing.
While our company has supported global vision environments through examination devices symbolized by the balloon chart on the horizon, we have now developed PHANTOM as a product that realizes a new measurement experience, unbound by conventional frameworks.
Humans naturally see things using both eyes. However, general vision and refractive error measurements widely use methods that examine one eye at a time. This can cause changes in accommodation (focusing) and pupil size, potentially affecting measurement results.
In a "Survey on Awareness of Ophthalmic Measurement Methods" conducted by our company targeting individuals aged 20-40, 62.1% of respondents felt that "vision was different than usual" when measuring eyesight with one eye covered, and 47.7% of respondents had experienced straining their uncovered eye when one eye was covered.
Approximately 1 in 2 people experienced fatigue, tension, or stress during measurement, with reasons cited including anxiety and pressure to "answer correctly."
Furthermore, responses such as "the examination time felt long" and "my eye strained when one eye was covered" accounted for one-fourth, confirming that eyesight measurement impacts psychological and physical stress.
Regarding the ability to measure both eyes simultaneously instead of one at a time, voices of expectation were raised, such as "the measurement seems like it would finish in a short time" and "it seems like it would be stress-free."
[Survey Overview]
Survey Name: Awareness Survey on Ophthalmic Measurement Methods
Survey Operator: Nidek Co., Ltd.
Survey Execution: Neo Marketing Inc.
Survey Period: March 19-22, 2026
Target Audience: Men and women aged 20-40, 501 participants
Survey Method: Internet survey
With PHANTOM, objective refractive error measurement (objective measurement) is performed simultaneously for both eyes without covering one eye. Based on these measurement results, subjective measurement to confirm vision with both eyes open is performed, which is expected to yield results closer to prescriptions that are easy to use in daily life.
Moreover, PHANTOM can complete measurements in a shorter time, potentially leading to reduced stress and fatigue for examinees. Furthermore, with optional self-measurement and multilingual support, it is expected to contribute to addressing labor shortages in medical and retail settings and meeting inbound demand.
* Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-1042. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006
Product Name
Open Field Refraction System PHANTOM
Launch Date
April 3, 2026
Device Classification
General Medical Device
Notification Number
23B1X00023000206
Through product development based on our core philosophy of "Three Eyes (Ambition, Difference, World)," we will leverage our technical capabilities and flexible ideas to offer a wide product lineup and continue to meet the diverse needs of the market.
Keywords: Medical Device, Ophthalmology, Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses, Glasses, Vision, Eye, Nidek, Optician, NIDEK
FAQ
What is PHANTOM™?
A new vision and refraction measurement device that allows examination without obstructing the field of view, while maintaining binocular vision.
Why is PHANTOM™ important?
It addresses the global challenge of myopia and aims to reduce stress and measurement errors associated with traditional monocular testing, offering a more natural examination experience.
What benefits can be expected?
Expected benefits include faster measurement, reduced stress and fatigue for examinees, and results closer to real-life vision.