Design and validation of the Arabic LogMAR chart, University of Buraimi (UoB) version

The background of the study was to design and validate an Arabic logMAR (UOB) version chart for testing distance visual acuity based on the constructed principle conceived by Bailey and Lovie chart.

Selected Arabic alphabets were designed on a 5 × 5 grid to test the visual acuity at 4 m distance. Out of the 28 Arabic alphabets, 10 optotypes with comparable legibility elements were chosen experimentally to construct the chart. The validity and repeatability were examined of the designed against a standard logMAR chart and existing Arabic logMAR (Al Mufarrej) version using the paired t-test.

A total of 14 rows (1.0 to-0.3 logMAR) with five letters in each line were designed with the range of legibility between 1.07913 and 0.993822. The visual acuity score of UOB Arabic logMAR ranged between -0.02 and 0.24 (mean 0.045 ± 0.061. The chart demonstrated no significant difference compared with the standard logMAR (P = 0.248) and Al Mufarrej logMAR version (P = 0.318).

The newly constructed Arabic logMAR UOB version chart has demonstrated good validity and repeatability when compared to the standard logMAR. The statistical differences in visual acuity measurements between the newly Arabic logMAR UOB version chart, and the standard logMAR chart was within the acceptable limits. Likewise, it can be registered, listed, and used to test visual acuity clinically among the literate Arabic population.