1. A refractometer ( 01 ) for determining the refraction properties of an eye ( 02 ) of a patient, comprising: an optical projection device ( 03 ) that comprises at least one light source ( 08 ) that produces a light pattern, wherein the light pattern of the projection device ( 03 ) can be projected on the retina of the eye ( 02 ) and focused thereon, an optical viewing device ( 04 ) that comprises at least one photoelectric sensor ( 12 ), wherein the light pattern reflected on the retina of the eye ( 02 ) can be viewed through the cornea and the lens of the eye with the viewing device ( 4 ) and projected on the photoelectric sensor ( 12 ) in the form of an image pattern, an evaluation device for evaluating the image pattern recorded by the photoelectric sensor ( 12 ) and deriving the refraction properties of the eye, and a distance measuring device for determining the distance between the refractometer ( 01 ) and the patient, wherein the distance measuring device ( 16 , 17 ) is able to measure the distance between the refractometer ( 01 ) and the eye ( 02 ).