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We provide a novel geometrical optical analysis of two coaxial photorefractive methods (isotropic and orthogonal). The size of the photorefractive pattern is defined in terms of the critical optical parameters without reference to specific camera parameters. A set of equations is derived that defines the following: a working range where the photorefractive pattern increases linearly with refractive error and pupil size, a dead zone where changes in refractive error do not influence pattern size, and critical values where vignetting by the camera lens becomes important. From this analysis optical parameters can be systematically adjusted to vary a photorefractor's working range. Small discrepancies found between measurements taken with model eyes indicated threshold and blooming effects that require calibration. Key words: Photorefraction, geometrical optics, refraction, infant vision, vision screening.