Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting diseases and abnormalities of a patient's eyes is disclosed. The apparatus includes an image-recording device for recording images of the patient's eyes while illuminated with infrared light and while at least two different meridians of the patient's eyes are illuminated with visible light in a time period shorter than the response time of the patient's eyes. The apparatus further includes a light source for illuminating the patient's eyes with infrared and two different meridians of the patient's eyes with visible light, and a control system for controlling the image-recording device and the light source. In one embodiment, the image-recording device includes a high-speed digital camera, the light source includes a group of infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a pair of flashes, and the control system is a computer system. The invention is useful in detecting both refractive and non-refractive errors of the eyes.