Vision Acuity Testing

Vision acuity testing was developed to diagnose and evaluate a person's eyesight, which is gauged by how tiny a letter or symbol they can decipher over a particular distance, states MedlinePlus.

Types

• Usually, vision acuity testing occurs during a routine yearly physical. An eye chart with letters and numbers is placed between 14 and 20 feet away from the patient and they are asked to read certain rows. For younger children, often simple pictures are used to obtain accurate test results.

Quantification

• Fractions are used to calculate the accuracy of a person's vision, reports the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. A reading of 20/20 is considered normal vision. In contrast, a reading of 20/60 is imperfect vision, whereas 20/10 is above average vision.

Importance

• The importance of vision acuity testing is that it allows doctors to interpret if a patient can function in highly visual jobs, such as piloting an airplane or simply driving to work, where clear vision is imperative for the safety of the patient and others.