Visual acuity is a measure of form sense and the ability to resolve fine detail. It is defined as the reciprocal of the minimum visual angle that can be resolved, measured in minutes of arc. Visual acuity depends on factors like the size and distance of an object, as well as characteristics of the observer such as accommodation and the optical elements of the eye. There are several methods used to measure visual acuity clinically, including assessing unaided acuity, habitual acuity, and optimal acuity under standardized testing conditions of illumination, testing distance, and letter size. Visual acuity test results can be recorded using decimal notation, percentage acuity, or the traditional Snellen fraction.

1. Visual Acuity
OPTOM FASLU MUHAMMED

2. Vision

3. Vision
 Vision or visual perception is a
complex integration of light sense,
form sense, contrast sense & colour
sense.
 Visual acuity is considered a measure
of Form Sense

4. Visual Angle
 In term of visual angle , VA is
defined as the reciprocal of the
minimum resolvable VA measured in
minutes of arc for a standard test
pattern
 Angle subtended at the nodal point of
the eye by the physical dimensions of
an object in the visual field

5. Contd…….
 Depends up on
◦ Size of the object
◦ Distance from the eye

6. Components of visual acuity
 Minimum Visible
 Resolution
 Recognition
 Minimum Discriminable

7. Minimum Visible
 The ability to determine whether or
not object is present.

8. Resolution
 Discrimination of two spatially separated
targets is termed resolution
 The normal angular threshold of
discrimination for resolution measures 30
– 60 sec of an arc . It is usually called
Minimum Angle of Resolution ( MAR )
E

9. Recognition
 Not only discriminates the spatial
characteristics of the test pattern but
also identifies the pattern with which
one has had an experience
 Familiar with the set of test figures
 The test targets are called optotypes
G L N

10. Minimum Discriminable
 Minimum Discriminablerefers to
spatial distinction by an observer
when the threshold is much lower than
the ordinary acuity
Vernier acuity

11. Factors affecting VA
1. Stimulus related factors
◦ Luminance of test objects
◦ Geometrical configuration of the
stimulus
◦ Contrast of the stimulus from the
surround
◦ Influence of wavelength
◦ Exposure duration
◦ Interaction effects of the two targets

12. Contd……..
2. Observer related factors
 Retinal locus of stimulation
 Pupil size
 Accommodation
 Effect of the eye movement
 Meridonial variation in acuity
 Optical element of the eye
 Developmental aspects

13. Principle measures of VA
 Unaided VA
 Habitual VA
 Optimal VA

14. Standard testing conditions
1. Letter Size
VA involves the ability to detect a
gap subtending an angle of 1 minute of
arc

15. Testing Distance
 6 m distance ,Parallel rays of light.

16. Contd……….
 If testing distance must be less than
20 feet ,the use of a mirror system
should be considered.

17. ILLUMINATION
 Illumination for VA testing can be
consider in terms of either illuminance
or luminance.
ILLUMINANCE
12 to 20 foot candles
LUMINANCE
10 to 16 foot lamberts.

18. Contd…….

19. Visual acuity Notations

20. Decimal Acuity
 Dividing the numerator of the Snellen
fraction by its denominator.
 D.A decrease with increase in gap
(or letter size.)
 D.A =8.726mm/height of letter.
e.g:- 6/6 =1
6/12 =0.5

21. PERCENTAGE ACUITY
 D.A is multiplied by 100.
 If D.A is 1 P.A acuity is 100%
 D.A 0.1 P.A 10%

22. SNELLEN ACUITY
 Snellen Fraction =Testing
Distance/Designation of smallest line
read
or
Snellen Fraction =Testing
Distance/Distance at which the
smallest letter read subtends an angle
of 5’ of arc

23. Contd……..
 Snellen fraction stated either metric or
english units at 6m distance or 20 feet
 The numerator of the snellen fraction
is almost always 6 or 20 depending on
whether the metric or english system
is used
 To convert decimal acuity into the
snellen fraction ; it is necessary only to
multiply the numerator of the
reciprocal of the decimal acuity

24. Contd……..
 Eg: 0.5
1/ 0.5 = 2
2(6)= 12 or 2 (20) = 40
6/ 12 or 20/40

26. Contd……….
Convert English Acuity to Metric Acuity
Eng D.A Metric Acuity
20/20 1 6/6
20/200 0.1 6/60
20/10 2.0 6/3

27. Contd………
 Communicating with patients
 Snellen fraction = testing distance /
distance at which a normal eye can
see the smallest letter read

28. Thank u……….