#phoropters

[give-a-rating]

[binomech]

Grasping at straws: Thoughts about Viktor's disability in Arcane

Disclaimer: In this post I try to give it some credit to Arcane writing from within the narrative. This is a Watsonian interpretation, not a Doylist one. Assume that underneath all of this I am beating Riot with LeGuin tomes.

Bootstraps and Denial

We get a glimpse into Viktor’s sense of self while he’s talking Jayce down from the ledge in S1A1E3: He is extending a sense of kinship to Jayce, who has just been stripped of his research equipment and autonomy by the Council when they relegate him to the care of his mother. He also considers the fact that he’s a faculty assistant in Piltover something he worked hard for, that was awarded to him despite his disability and immigrant status. His visible physical disability, accent, name, are all class signifiers that he must reject and dismiss if he wants funding, accommodation and recognition and it points to Piltover only allowing Zaunites as both a PR token and only if they reject enough of their Undercity culture. This is crucial: Viktor did not earn his position because he worked hard and believed in himself, he was rewarded for assimilating.

Becoming a Specimen

All of Viktor’s screentime in S1 takes place in Piltover to the exceptions of his visits to Singed, both in his childhood flashback and his adult visit to request help with the Hexcore experiment. Two things stand out to me in these interactions: The traumatic experience of being valued as a specimen, and the scrambling to the top of the ivory tower as a response to said trauma. He meets Singed and Rio in the immediate aftermath of a fall caused by his leg’s angle while he kept track of a device he built, a reminder that it would be the defining feature of his career, not his creations. Rio is shown to him as a lively, yet dying, specimen that must be preserved because it is a mutant, because it is defective and that defect makes her extremely valuable. I can understand how a young Viktor would latch onto the idea of saving something because it is faulty and project, and how finding Rio effectively dead and her body used for profit ended in an understanding that defects are only good if you can exploit them in some way, it’s not you, as a person, that they want. Conceptualizing a Viktor that is dead set on convincing the world that his work is important in and of itself goes through understanding that he sees his visible disability as both a hindrance and a weakness to exploit from the Piltover Academy.

Jayce encourages Viktor to do PR for Hextech with him several times, and right before the Progress Day speech, just as Viktor has had a coughing fit and is sitting down to rest his leg, Viktor says he doesn’t want to be seen as his partner, not in front of “them” (them being Piltover’s aristocracy). Viktor sees in Hextech a chance to leave a scientific legacy, and Jayce’s partnership is a way to keep the funds coming without his disability being an issue for investors. He believes in his partnership and Hextech as a joint endeavor between him and Jayce, but he knows what happens when Piltovans see a disabled Zaunite in any position threatening their hegemony. The catch here is that Viktor’s experience with Rio makes it so that this is not so much political awareness, as much as it is an avoidance so hard it loops back to agreeing with the oppressor, just to live a little more, just to make sure the world sees what you did.

When Viktor is diagnosed with Sump disease, a terminal condition caused by overexploitative mining and industrial pollution caused by Piltover’s factories and production exports, the sequence plays alongside an investor PR campaign from Jayce. It’s Viktor, who is already disabled, losing his place in the legacy of Hextech because he is dying at the hands of those who made it possible financially. It’s this Viktor, who sees his hopes of being remembered for his inventions dwindling, desperately going back to Singed and saying “I understand the value of the specimen. If rejecting my personhood buys me time, I will be what they want to see: A cripple, a corrupted Zaunite, a man desperate for power.”

The Hexcore has been trained to heal the subjects it’s used on, but Viktor was the one to train it: He was the one to determine what parts of the subject were considered sicknesses and flaws. To the degree that the Hexcore is, in many ways, a reflection of Viktor’s understanding of disease. It targeting his leg on first deliberate connection is a reflection of intent and desire more than any kind of agency from the device. Sky being used as fuel for the Hexcore’s learning is a point of contention for Viktor at that point because it’s the meeting point of the specimen and the scientist: Some lives are expendable if it means furthering your goal, and your life is the most expendable one. Are you ready to kill, be killed, for legacy? And Viktor panics because he is back, he’s looking at Rio’s corpse, born and raised for dying. Suicide for him at this point is an out, an unhealthy way of trying to go back to when he still had a choice. He asks Jayce to destroy the Hexcore and let him die because at that point he is still capable of dying without becoming a resource.

The Horror of Bioethics

Season 2 for Viktor is him becoming a specimen: Not a person, but a tool used to pave the road to a goal. In this case, Noxus’ acquisition of Hextech weaponry (which Viktor opposed ethically in Season 1, as he becomes the weapon itself in Season 2). He is resuscitated using the Hexcore against his will, a Hexcore containing both Viktor’s inputs for non-human healing and Sky’s research on applying those principles to the human body. He is a machine trained to heal, and he leaves for Zaun not under Viktor’s orders, but under the maxim to heal. He sees the widespread health issues caused by people that Viktor was bootlicking in Piltover, the direct result of him helping care for Rio until she died and was used to synthesize Shimmer as a drug, and where Viktor avoided his association with Zaun, the Hexcore resorts to the inputted instructions: Fix what we have established is broken. Viktor, who rejected his own disability, who rejected his home, his personal history, taught this thing to target the disabled, to target the poor, to target the sick. It is horrifying. The script presents it as vaguely unsettling but well-intentioned when it is blatant eugenics brought on by the loss of autonomy of a disabled man; the horror of it is not the cult, it’s knowing that all of this healing comes from someone having assimilated emotionally, politically, and physically, into his oppressors. It is not Viktor helping Zaun from the inside, it is Piltover’s allegedly meritocratic hellscape grafted onto Zaunites.

Who is allowed to be disabled?

Now, Jayce’s journey in the post-Hextech apocalyptic world is shown as a climb up from the Sump into the top of the Hexgates’ tower, almost reminiscent of Viktor’s journey as he understands it: You’re in a pit with a broken leg, in pain, hungry, desperate and you climb because it’s that or accepting death. You hope whatever is up there was worth the climb, but it’s a leap of faith. It’s remarkable, in contrast, how Jayce’s understanding of that climb is shaped by his own socioeconomic background. Viktor reaches the top and is punished for it, Jayce reaches the top and comes to an enlightened understanding. Viktor grows up disabled and is punished for the climb, Jayce acquires a disability during war time and he becomes the scientist-politician-hero. I appreciate how Jayce, upon encountering Viktor, fully armored even in his mind, can see a back brace, a leg brace, strained tendons. But it is also why a terminal illness resulting from Piltover’s economic chokehold on Zaun is conflated with a visible congenital disability, while they are manifestly not the same: This is a Viktor who got absorbed into Piltover’s vision of legacy, this is a Jayce who has grown up in it.

Legacy? What legacy?

In his final shot with Jayce as they erase the rune-stone, Viktor’s right leg is curving inwards, implying his femoral anteversion is something that he has finally incorporated into his perception, which was absent in every previous shot of this realm. Viktor's acceptance is for his own body, yes, but also for the consequences of giving up on it and dying.

This story as it is presented to us is a tale of avoiding annihilation through denial of one's limitations. While it's not a story that I enjoy, it is the one we were given. My hope is that through understanding it we can all tell better stories about disabled people.

[jepergola]

New story today: "Compartmentalization During an Eye Exam"

[industryupdate]

OCT Devises Proliferate the Eye Testing Equipment Market Led by Non-Invasive Optical Biopsy

In 2021, the eye testing equipment market captures $2,852.2 million in revenue, and by 2030, it is projected to rise to $5,246.1 million, progressing at a 7.0% rate from 2021 to 2030, attributed to the growing prevalence of eye disorders in the emerging economies, leads to increase in demand of the treatment and examination of the eye and technological advancements in the ophthalmic…

[dr-whoopsie-daisy]

I will confess that I got swept up in the steampunk wave back then. And I will also confess that I still love it and do steampunk things (i made a clock) Annnnd I was just looking at antique phoropters on-line and realized that is also very much tied into steampunk aesthetic.

I've considered making videos of the lenses clicking and moving around.

So that's the update on my brain waves, have a good day.

[anguigenus]

oooohh thinking about Labyrinth Runners again. I was rewatching and in this scene Gus is actually in the detention track room!

Makes me think about my ADHD headcanons for him. A kid that's really smart and moves up grades, but the teachers are a lot harder on him for it. He's expected to be just as mature as the other kids—or more! he moved up a grade after all!

And yet it's so hard for him to sit still and do structured classwork. Heck, even now he sends a double to class instead of actually attending!

I wonder if he was ever sent to detention for doing illusion magic "wrong". Maybe that's why he's so quick to jump to thinking he's in trouble when he does something wrong!

That's classic neurodivergent gifted kid. You know your stuff, but you can't sit still, or you can't pay attention, or you do things a different way from the teacher. And every time, you get in trouble.

Also, there's so so much eye symbolism in this sequence. (To clarify, he breaks down after Adrian digs through his memories. Hunter comes in and sees a series of mindscapes while Gus berates himself).

I mean first of all there's Gus' own glowing eyes. But then we have:

An abominations classroom, probably the one where he met Willow. There are papers stuck up on the wall with eyes on all of them.

A forest. There are Boiling Isles trees in the background, and their knotholes look like eyes.

The classroom mentioned above. There's a big carved eye centered under the board, fixed right on Gus.

Another scene in the forest. This time Bria and her friends are there circling Gus. However, they don't have faces.

Gus in the illusions classroom. He's in front of a table with several mirrors, and the mirrors are full of eyes looking back at him.

Finally, Gus' room. He's curled up in front of his dresser. Guess what? The knobs on the dresser are eyes. And on top of the dresser is a big old machine—specifically, it's called a Phoropter. It goes in front of your eyes, and has hundreds of lens combinations you can flip on to let the optometrists decide what kind of glasses lenses someone needs.

This eye symbolism plays right into Gus' anxieties. He's constantly being watched in his mindscape. They're not other people's eyes though. Bria and her friends didn't even have eyes! No, the eyes are all part of the mindscape. They're eyes in a mirror looking back at him.

The eyes are part of him.

If you get in trouble enough, have someone pick at you for little things so many times, you start policing yourself. You notice you're doing something wrong and a siren starts going off in your mind, going "YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET IN TROUBLE!"

That's Gus' anxiety. He's worried about being good enough in school. Worried about his relationships with other people. But it's not focused on them, it's focused on him. He's constantly watching for himself to mess up.

And guess what? If you're looking for something, you're going to start seeing it everywhere.

When something goes wrong he jumps to it being his fault. Not doing well on an assignment is a personal failure. Things other people would brush off are the end of the world.

He's so hard on himself because he thinks that other people will. It's preemptive action. If he makes himself perfect he can't make people mad. If he punishes himself first then other people won't punish him.

I just, man. This kid. When he's written well he's written well.

[erophonemic]

I need her to adjust and control my hips like I'm the phoropter at the optometrist and I'm about to be subjected to some A/B testing

[violent138]

what's your favourite writing compliment that you've gotten? (no.72)

It went like: "this was very accurate to my experiences working in a neuro-optometry office" and the person ended with saying it genuinely made them smile which was profoundly kind.

I always do ridiculous levels of research for fics even if it's unnecessary for the plot to naturally progress (like learning how a phoropter works and where it originated, in case Bruce wanted to infodump 💀) so it was really cool to see that the fic events actually lined up with someone's experience.

Thanks for the ask!

[femkat2]

Treecko gets to try the phoropter

[word-for-today]

Those big things optometrists have with all the dials and lenses are called a phoropter, a genericized trademark. Before that they were called a refractor or an optometer.

[binomech]

the most divorced men to never be married

[insightfuleyes45]

What to Expect During Your First Visit to the Optometrist: A Guide for New Patients

Introduction Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision and overall eye health. However, your first trip to the optometrist can feel unfamiliar and even a bit nerve-wracking. Knowing what to expect can help ease those nerves and help you feel prepared. This guide will walk you through the typical process of a comprehensive eye exam—from pre-appointment preparations to the tests you will encounter during your visit, making sure you know what to expect at each step of the way.

What to Expect: From Start to Finish

Before Your Appointment A little prep goes a long way. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your appointment runs smoothly:

Gather any relevant medical history and a list of current medications.

Bring along your existing glasses or contact lenses.

Prepare a list of any specific vision concerns or symptoms.

During the Examination Your eye exam will follow a set sequence of steps to make sure your vision and eye health are thoroughly evaluated:

Patient History: The appointment starts with a discussion about your medical history, current medications, and any vision issues you are currently experiencing. This initial conversation helps your optometrist tailor the exam to your specific needs [1].

Preliminary Tests: You will begin with a few preliminary assessments, which may include checking depth perception, colour vision, and peripheral (side) vision. These quick tests provide valuable insights into various aspects of your vision [2].

Visual Acuity Test: This familiar test involves reading letters from a chart to measure both your distance and near vision. It is a fundamental step to determine how clearly you see at various ranges [1].

Refraction: Using a device called a phoropter or an autorefractor, your optometrist will determine your exact lens prescription, ensuring you have the correct vision correction [2].

Eye Health Evaluation: This part involves using a slit lamp, a special microscope that allows your optometrist to examine the structures of your eye in detail. To get a clearer view of your retina, they may also dilate your pupils with eye drops [1][3].

Tonometry: A test for measuring eye pressure, tonometry is a critical screening tool for glaucoma. There are several methods for this, including the “puff-of-air” test, which is quick and painless [3].

Additional Tests: Based on your age, vision needs, and potential risk factors, your optometrist might suggest other specialized tests to further evaluate your eye health [2].

After the Exam

Once the examination is complete, your optometrist will discuss their findings and may provide a treatment plan, if needed. This can include new prescriptions, advice on eye care, or suggestions for follow-up appointments. Your optometrist will also take the time to answer any questions you may have [1].

Conclusion Your first visit to the optometrist may include a variety of tests aimed at assessing both your vision and your eye health. Knowing what to expect can make the experience more comfortable, helping you approach the appointment with confidence and preparing you to have a meaningful conversation about your eye care.

References

1. WebMD. "Visiting Your Eye Doctor."

2. American Optometric Association. "Comprehensive eye exams."

3. Healthdirect Australia. "Eye tests - types of test, costs."

4. WebMD. "What to Expect in a Checkup Eye Exam: Adults."

5. Kraffe Eye Institute. "Do's and Don'ts Before Eye Exam: How to Prepare for an Eye Exam."

[currydomi]

Barker practice

Stopped the presses to take another crack at drawing practice. This time, focusing on a complicated character design. Actually reduced detail in the legs for sanity.

Let’s see. He is scared easily; middle-aged; a tarantula; walks on walls when avoiding conflict (or scared); and is voiced by Arin Hanson (in my head).

His goggles are based on a phoropter. He can take them off, but he’s completely blind without them and has to rely on his legs to guide him around if they get stolen by someone as a prank. His eyes are not as big as those lenses.

He is venomous (via the chelicerae on the sides of his head) and completely forgets this fact, even during dire straits. No, he cannot web. Yes, he loves cookies.

[calder]

Prototype – This variant is only available during Vision of the Future and can be parametered through a terminal. Subliminal messaging – Produces 15 happiness and requires 6 power, but has a mortality chance of 2% per day. Vault monitoring – Produces 5 happiness and requires 3 power, but has a mortality chance of 1% per day. Improved eye care – Produces 10 happiness and requires 3 power, with no chance of mortality.

huh

[soldiersam]

@thereddestandtheroundest

(prev) The receptionist looked up from their computer in mild surprise. Those jerks never wanted to hang with anyone but each other! Ah. Wait. Ze nodded as the pieces clicked into place. “They’re in their examination room.” Then ze got up to open the door and lead them to the end of the hall where Wendell and Glendale had pulled a short bench up next to the examination chair. “Why hello Sam!” Wendell— the taller of the two— called out as he waved them in. “How good to see you in this glorious of evenings!” Meanwhile Glendale had bent down to grab the popcorn bucket. Once it was on their collective laps he brightly smiled. “Would you like to watch a movie with us in this coziest of comfy chairs?” Now that their job was done the receptionist went back to the front desk to finish paperwork in peaceful silence.

Sam stepped into the examination room and looked around. “Well howdy fellas.” He cracked a grin. “Long time no see.”

He gazed up at the phoropter, then down at the chair below it. He then turned and walked up to the tv and put his hands on his hips.

“A movie, huh? What movie we watching?”