Have had problems with the reply box on this thread before and now only just managed to get through again.
To answer your question:
They check your refraction by sticking the lenses on the test frame.
The method you descripe uses light projected into the eye and checking the refraction by looking into a machine.
That is used for people who can not do the method above or little children and is not used to establish visual acuity (ability to see)or refractive error (strength of lenses needed) for aviation medicals as far as I know or have come across.
HTH
FD