Abstract: An ophthalmic lighting apparatus for operable attachment to ophthalmic articles, such as ophthalmic refractors, which articles are capable of supporting and deploying a protruding reading card rod, a reading card holder and accordingly a reading card during an ophthalmic examination. An illumination member is operably attached to one or more of the components of the reading card assembly for providing a controlled and standardized amount of light to the reading card. A position sensitive switch is interposed between a power source and the illumination member for automatically switching a light source upon movement of the reading card rod from a vertically protruding pre-ophthalmic examination position to a substantially horizontal protruding ophthalmic examination position.