How Does A Visual Acuity Chart Work?
You'll stand or sit 20 feet away from the chart or screen.
Your eye care specialist will ask you to cover one of your eyes (usually with your hand or a paddle).
Your eye care specialist will ask you to slowly read the chart, starting at the top with the biggest row of letters or
symbols.
You'll keep reading smaller rows until you can't see the letters or symbols clearly.
After you finish with one eye, you'll switch eyes and do the test again.
As the chart gets harder to read, it's OK to guess at the letters or symbols, but tell your eye care specialist when the
chart starts to get fuzzy or hard to read. Don't squint or strain your eye to see. The point of a visual acuity test is to
get an accurate assessment of your vision, so don't worry about “failing” or trying your best to “pass.”
