examination (visual acuity)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Visual acuity should be tested for distance and for reading. Each eye should be tested individually.
The Snellen chart is the standard test of distance vision. Patients should be asked to wear their spectacles if they are short sighted. If the patient does not have their spectacles then looking through a pin-hole will correct for any refractive errors.
If the patient is young or illiterate then a letter- matching test such as the Sheridan-Gardner test is frequently used.