Which test is frequently performed to assess visual acuity?

The Snellen chart test is a common method used to assess visual acuity. This test employs a chart that contains letters or symbols of varying sizes, which a patient reads from a specific distance, usually 20 feet. The results provide a measurement of the sharpness or clarity of vision, typically expressed as a fraction. For example, a visual acuity of 20/20 is considered normal vision, meaning that a person can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance.

The effectiveness of the Snellen chart in determining visual acuity lies in its standardized approach, allowing health care professionals to evaluate and compare an individual's eyesight against a normative standard. It is often one of the first tests performed during an eye examination to identify any potential vision issues, making it a central part of optometric evaluations.

Other tests, while important in assessing different aspects of vision, do not focus specifically on visual acuity. Color vision tests evaluate a patient's ability to perceive colors, visual field tests measure peripheral vision, and tonometry determines intraocular pressure, which is vital for diagnosing glaucoma but does not directly assess visual acuity.