PHOROPTOR VRX DIGITAL REFRACTION SYSTEM-Digital refractor intended for the subjective measurement of the refractive error of the eye. MODEL NUMBER: 16242 [Model 16241 is the base model. Model 16242 includes an additional prism feature used for the measurement of ocular deviation in patients with latent or manifest strabismus].

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-2512-2023) was formally reported on September 6, 2023, with the manufacturer initiating the action on July 20, 2023. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Ongoing. Reichert, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Depew, NY. Federal records indicate 53 units; Extended 34 units units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: Phoroptor VRx Head may detach from the bracket that connects the Phoroptor VRx Head to an ophthalmic stand. If the Phoroptor VRx Head detaches from the bracket, it can fall onto a patient or device operator Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: US Nationwide distribution.. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Devices. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 3 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.