A new method for refractive measurements with atropine cycloplegia was tested in 90 children with squint. Measurements were taken by an autorefractor (Canon R 10) 90 min after application of 2 atropine eye drops and after 3 days of receiving 1 atropine eye drop 3 times daily, i.e. 9 drops per eye. Results were also compared to conventional "objective" refractometry by means of a hand refractometer (Rodenstock PR 50). According to this method, the total refraction, spherical and cylindric power and the cylinder axis are in agreement with refractive data in 80-90% of the children after 3-day atropinization. The additional cycloplegic effect of atropine given for 3 days is only 0.5 dptr compared to the application of 2 drops on the first day. So for practical purposes the refractive data evaluated after 90-min atropinization can be used as a basis for the prescription of glasses.