The relationship between performance-based visual acuity screening, self-reported visual acuity, and neuropsychological performance

Despite frequent cautions in the literature concerning the importance of visual acuity in neuropsychological testing, there are few published empirical investigations of what constitutes "sufficient" visual acuity, nor are there published guidelines for performance-based visual screening techniques. The current study attempted to validate the utility of a visual acuity screening technique by examining individuals with varying visual ability on neuropsychological measures. Results revealed declines on neuropsychological measures associated with reduced visual acuity, as well as discrepancies between self-reported and measured visual acuity, with neuropsychological performance being more closely related to a performance-based measure of visual acuity than to self-reported visual acuity. Clinical implications are discussed.