In an eye test, what now replaces the part where you looked at a semicircle of radiating lines?

Question

The optician then rotated lenses trying to make the lines look equally black. Opticians don't seem to do this any more.

Answer 1

That is one test that can be used to measure the amount of astigmatism you have.  This can also be achieved by showing you a single line of letters and flipping a certain lens back and forth asking "which is better?".

Answer 2

I know what you mean, and when I went to the optician last week, instead of the radiating lines there was a red cross with arms which didn't meet in the middle, and a ball,  and I had to say when the ball looked to be at the centre of the cross.