Dioptre meaning

A dioptre is a unit of measurement for the refractive power of a lens, with the power determined by the reciprocal of the focal length in meters.


Dioptre definitions

Word backwards ertpoid
Part of speech The word "dioptre" is a noun.
Syllabic division di-op-tre
Plural The plural of the word "dioptre" is "diopters."
Total letters 7
Vogais (3) i,o,e
Consonants (4) d,p,t,r

Dioptre is a unit of measurement that is used to quantify the optical power of a lens or curved mirror. It is typically denoted by the symbol D. The dioptre value of a lens is the reciprocal of its focal length in meters. For example, a lens with a focal length of 1 meter would have an optical power of 1 dioptre.

Optical power is a term used to describe the ability of a lens to converge or diverge light rays. Lenses with positive optical power are known as converging lenses and are used to focus light, while lenses with negative optical power are known as diverging lenses and are used to spread out light rays.

Uses of Dioptre

Dioptre is an essential concept in the field of optics and is used in various applications such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and camera lenses. When prescribing eyeglasses, optometrists use the dioptre value to determine the lens power needed to correct a person's vision.

Calculating Dioptre

To calculate the dioptre value of a lens, you simply take the reciprocal of its focal length in meters. For example, if a lens has a focal length of 0.5 meters, its optical power would be 1 / 0.5 = 2 dioptres. This means that the lens has a power of 2 dioptres, either converging or diverging light depending on its positive or negative value.

Converting Dioptre to Focal Length

If you are given the dioptre value of a lens and need to convert it to focal length, you can simply take the reciprocal of the dioptre value. For example, a lens with an optical power of 3 dioptres would have a focal length of 1 / 3 = 0.33 meters.

In conclusion, dioptre is a crucial concept in the world of optics, allowing us to quantify the optical power of lenses and mirrors. Understanding dioptre values is essential for the design and selection of optical devices used in various fields.


Dioptre Examples

  1. The doctor prescribed glasses with a +2 dioptre correction for reading.
  2. The camera lens has a focal length of 50mm and a dioptre of -3.
  3. She visited the optometrist to get her dioptre measured for new contact lenses.
  4. The telescope has a dioptre adjustment to compensate for different users' vision.
  5. His dioptre prescription changed, requiring him to get new eyeglasses.
  6. The binoculars have a dioptre setting that can be customized for each eye.
  7. The microscope allows for dioptre adjustments to focus on the specimen.
  8. The VR headset has a dioptre adjustment to accommodate users with glasses.
  9. The ophthalmologist uses a dioptre meter to measure the refractive error of the eye.
  10. The camera viewfinder has a dioptre adjustment to ensure a clear image.


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  • Updated 27/04/2024 - 05:13:00