[A new syllable text for evaluating near vision]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Visual Science

Context:

• Traditional reading cards present challenges in precisely measuring visual acuity due to reading ability variability.
• Standard distance visual acuity tests, like Landolt-rings, require recognizing 6 out of 10 optotypes.
• Existing near vision tests lack the precision of single optotype tests.

Purpose:

• To introduce a novel near vision test utilizing calibrated syllables for precise visual acuity assessment.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this new test in patients with amblyopia and compare it with existing methods.
• To incorporate crowding phenomena testing within a near vision assessment.

Summary:

• The new near vision test employs 10 two-letter syllables calibrated to DIN 58,220 standards, requiring 6 correct recognitions for a pass.
• Testing on patients with squint and anisometropic amblyopia showed identical visual acuity results compared to Oculus reading cards.
• The crowding syllables test demonstrated visual acuity comparable to the Haase/Hohmann C test, offering precision similar to Landolt-ring tests.

Impact:

• Enables exact measurement of reading visual acuity using syllables, mirroring the precision of single optotype tests.
• Provides a reliable tool for assessing visual acuity in patients with amblyopia.
• Facilitates visual acuity testing in patients with nystagmus by allowing restricted reading times (1 second per syllable).