Extending the MNREAD sentence corpus: Computer-generated sentences for measuring visual performance in reading.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Vision Science

Background:

• The Minnesota Low Vision Reading (MNREAD) chart uses standardized sentences at 19 sizes.
• Existing MNREAD charts have 95 sentences, insufficient for extensive clinical research and new vision test development.
• There is a need for a larger pool of sentences that meet MNREAD constraints for research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel sentence generator capable of producing millions of sentences adhering to MNREAD constraints.
• To evaluate reading performance using newly generated sentences compared to original MNREAD sentences.
• To assess the utility of the new sentences for clinical research and the development of new vision tests.

Main Methods:

• A sentence generator was developed to create over nine million sentences fitting MNREAD criteria.
• Reading performance was measured using original MNREAD sentences, two sets of new sentences, and shuffled-word sentences.
• Participants included 14 individuals with normal vision tested under unblurred and two blurred conditions (simulating low vision acuity loss).
• Reading speed versus print size curves were analyzed.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in reading acuity and critical print size between new and original sentences across all blur levels.
• Maximum reading speed was slightly slower (7%) with new sentences compared to original MNREAD sentences.
• Shuffled word order sentences resulted in significantly slower maximum reading speeds and larger reading acuities.

Conclusions:

• The new sentence generator successfully produces a vast number of sentences suitable for MNREAD testing.
• Reading performance with the new sentences is comparable to the original MNREAD sentences, validating their use in research.
• The expanded sentence pool enhances capabilities for clinical research on reading vision and exploring text parameter effects on reading.