Development and Validation of a Web-Based Reading Test for Normal and Low Vision Patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vision Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Low vision impacts reading ability and quality of life.
• Accurate reading tests are crucial for diagnosis and management.
• Digital tools offer potential for improved accessibility and efficiency in vision testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel web-based reading test, the Democritus Digital Acuity Reading Test (wDDART).
• To assess the wDDART's performance in patients with normal and low vision.
• To compare wDDART with a conventional Windows-based test (DDART) for key reading parameters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, comparative trial involving 100 participants (70 normal vision, 30 low vision).
• wDDART incorporates advanced features: text calibration, computer-vision distance estimation, automatic reading time calculation.
• Reading parameters (RA, MRS, CPS, ACC) measured and compared between wDDART and DDART.
• Test-retest reliability of wDDART assessed over a 15-day interval.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between wDDART and DDART for any reading parameters in either group.
• Excellent correlation (ICC) observed for Reading Acuity (RA) and Reading Accessibility Index (ACC).
• Good correlation for Maximum Reading Speed (MRS) and moderate correlation for Critical Print Size (CPS).
• Excellent test-retest reliability for RA and ACC; good reliability for MRS and CPS (ICCs 0.715-0.895).

Conclusions:

• The web-based Democritus Digital Acuity Reading Test (wDDART) is a valid and repeatable tool.
• wDDART is suitable for use in both clinical and research settings for assessing reading performance.
• This digital approach offers a promising alternative for vision testing.